Khemasuttaṃ [AN 6.49, PTS 3.359]

7.

The Discourse on Khema

49. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Khema and the Venerable Sumana were dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Blind Men's Grove. Then the Venerable Khema and the Venerable Sumana approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Khema said this to the Blessed One -

"Venerable sir, that monk who is a Worthy One, one who has eliminated the mental corruptions, one who has lived the holy life, one who has done what had to be done, one who has laid down the burden, one who has attained his own welfare, one who has utterly eliminated the fetters of existence, one completely liberated through final knowledge - he does not think thus - 'There is one superior to me,' or 'There is one equal to me,' or 'There is one inferior to me.'" This the Venerable Khema said. The Teacher approved. Then the Venerable Khema, thinking, "The Teacher has approved of me," rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed.

Then the Venerable Sumana, soon after the Venerable Khema had departed, said this to the Blessed One - "Venerable sir, that monk who is a Worthy One, one who has eliminated the mental corruptions, one who has lived the holy life, one who has done what had to be done, one who has laid down the burden, one who has attained his own welfare, one who has utterly eliminated the fetters of existence, one completely liberated through final knowledge - he does not think thus - 'There is no one superior to me,' or 'There is no one equal to me,' or 'There is no one inferior to me.'" This the Venerable Sumana said. The Teacher approved. Then the Venerable Sumana, thinking, "The Teacher has approved of me," rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed.

Then the Blessed One, when the Venerable Khema and the Venerable Sumana had recently departed, addressed the monks - "Thus indeed, monks, sons of good family declare the final liberating knowledge. The meaning has been stated, and oneself has not been brought forward. And yet here some foolish men, laughing as it were, methinks, declare the final liberating knowledge. They afterwards fall into vexation."