If a royal bull elephant—whether elderly, middle aged, or youthful—passes away tamed and trained, they’re reckoned a royal bull elephant who passed away tamed. In the same way, if a mendicant—whether senior, middle, or junior—passes away having ended the defilements, they’re reckoned a mendicant who passed away tamed.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the novice Aciravata approved what the Buddha said.

Middle Discourses 126 With Bhūmija