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with the youth Ambaṭṭha.” “How then, good Gotama, did you have any conversation with the youth Ambaṭṭha?” Then the Blessed One recounted to the Brahmin Pokkharasāti all the conversation he had had with the youth Ambaṭṭha. When this was said, the Brahmin Pokkharasāti said to the Blessed One: “The youth Ambaṭṭha is foolish, good Gotama. May Master Gotama forgive the youth Ambaṭṭha.” “May the youth Ambaṭṭha be happy, Brahmin.” 294. Then the Brahmin Pokkharasāti examined the thirty-two marks of a Great Man on the body of the Blessed One. The Brahmin Pokkharasāti saw most of the thirty-two marks of a Great Man on the body of the Blessed One, except for two. Concerning two marks of a Great Man, he was in doubt, he wavered, he was not convinced, he was not satisfied: the private parts being enclosed in a sheath, and the large tongue. 295. Then it occurred to the Blessed One: “This Brahmin Pokkharasāti sees most of my thirty-two marks of a Great Man, except for two. Concerning two marks of a Great Man, he is in doubt, he wavers, he is not convinced, he is not satisfied: the private parts being enclosed in a sheath, and the large tongue.” Then the Blessed One performed such a psychic feat that the Brahmin Pokkharasāti saw the Blessed One’s private parts enclosed in a sheath. Then the Blessed One extended his tongue and touched and stroked both ear-holes, touched and stroked both nostril-holes, and even covered his entire forehead with his tongue. 296. Then it occurred to the Brahmin Pokkharasāti: “The ascetic Gotama is endowed with the thirty-two ...with the marks of a Great Man, complete, not incomplete." He said this to the Blessed One: "May Master Gotama accept for me today's meal together with the Sangha of bhikkhus." The Blessed One accepted by silence. 297. Then the brahmin Pokkharasāti, knowing the Blessed One's acceptance, announced the time to the Blessed One: "It is time, Master Gotama, the meal is ready." Then the Blessed One, in the morning, having dressed, taking his bowl and robe, together with the Sangha of bhikkhus, went to the dwelling of the brahmin Pokkharasāti; having approached, he sat down on the seats prepared. Then the brahmin Pokkharasāti personally served and satisfied the Blessed One with choice hard and soft foods; and the young men served the Sangha of bhikkhus. Then the brahmin Pokkharasāti, when the Blessed One had finished eating and had removed his hand from the bowl, took a certain low seat and sat down to one side. 298. To the brahmin Pokkharasāti, who was sitting to one side, the Blessed One gave a gradual discourse, that is: a talk on giving, a talk on morality, a talk on heaven; he explained the danger, the degradation, and the defilement of sensual pleasures, and the benefit of renunciation. When the Blessed One knew that the brahmin Pokkharasāti's mind was ready, pliant, free from hindrances, uplifted, and confident, then he expounded to him the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth, free from stains, readily absorbs dye; even so, to the brahmin Pokkharasāti, right on that very seat, the dust-free, stain-free Eye of Dhamma arose: "Whatever is subject to arising, all that is subject to cessation." Pokkharasāti's Declaration as a Lay Follower 299. Then the brahmin Pokkharasāti, having seen the Dhamma, having attained the Dhamma, having understood the Dhamma, having penetrated the Dhamma, having crossed over doubt, having put away perplexity, having gained confidence, independent of others... In the Teacher's Dispensation, he said this to the Blessed One: "Excellent, good Gotama, Excellent, good Gotama. Just as, good Gotama, one might set upright what was overturned, or reveal what was hidden, or show the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the darkness, so that those with eyes might see forms; even so has the Dhamma been made clear by the good Gotama in many ways. I, good Gotama, with my sons, with my wife, with my retinue, with my ministers, go for refuge to the good Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. May the good Gotama remember me as a lay follower, from this day forth, as one who has gone for refuge as long as life lasts. And just as the good Gotama visits other eminent lay families, even so may the good Gotama visit the family of Pokkharasāti. There, those young men or young women who will salute the good Gotama, or rise up for him, or offer a seat or water, or gladden their minds, for them that will be for long-lasting welfare and happiness." "It is well said, brahmin." The Ambaṭṭha Sutta, the third, is finished.