The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Fifth Chapter for Recitation
found, here a third (true) ascetic is found, here a fourth (true) ascetic
is found.
Void are the outside doctrines of these other ascetics, 167 Subhadda,
(but) if monks should live well, 168 the world will not be void of
Worthy Ones.
(At) twenty-nine years, Subhadda,
I went forth a seeker of what is good, 169
More than fifty years ago, 170
Wherefore I am (truly) gone forth, Subhadda.
167 Subcomm: Parappavādā ti paresaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ nānappakārā vādā
titthāyatanāni; outside doctrines means the various doctrines and belief
systems of the other sectarians.
168 Comm: sammā vihareyyun-ti ettha sotāpanno attano adhigataṭṭhānaṁ
aññassa kathetvā taṁ sotāpannaṁ karonto sammā viharati nāma, should
live well, here a stream-enterer, having spoken about his attainment to
another, (thereby) making him a stream-enterer, then this is known as living
well. The same for those with the other attainments, or practising for the
other attainments.
169 The Commentary says yaṁ here is merely a particle (without meaning),
and continues: kiṁ kusalan-ti sabbaññutaññāṇaṁ adhippetaṁ; what is good
means omniscient knowledge.
170 This is counting from the time of his going forth from the household life,
after which he spent 6 years as an ascetic before Awakening, and forty-five
years thereafter teaching.
167