Comparing Chinese Agama the ? Bundles of Reeds Simile with Pali Nalakalapiyo Sutta

In commenting a post , I have just been introduced to the *"two bundles of reeds leaning up against each other" Sutta*. The comments have just been moved to chat and I hope it would be kept for awhile since I notice most chats are just rubbish bins to collect "hazardous" information in this forum and later deleted. From Chinese Saṃyukta Āgama No. 288 it has this verse: > ...譬如：**三**蘆立於空地，展轉相依而得豎立，若去其一，二亦不立；若去其二，一亦不立，展轉相依而得豎立。**識** 緣名色，亦復如是，展轉相依而得生長。 > *Translation* > ...For example, **three** reeds standing on the floor, they > relying on each other so are able to stand up. If one is removed, the > other two cannot stand; if removed two, one also cannot stand. [Only] > by relying on each other they are able to stand up. **Consciousness** > correlating to name-form, is also the same, [they] relying on each > other then are able to develop. *~ Saṃyukta Āgama No. 288* > > >Remark: Chinese 識 has multiple meanings, depends on the context of the text, it either just refers to consciousness - the faculty of cognizing, or the total of mind However, Pali Sutta Nalakalapiyo Sutta : Sheaves of Reeds reads: > "Suppose there were **two** bundles of reeds leaning up against each other. In the same way, name and form are conditions for consciousness. Consciousness is a condition for name and form. If the first of those bundles of reeds were to be pulled away, the other would collapse. And if the other were to be pulled away, the first would collapse. In the same way, when name and form cease, consciousness ceases. When consciousness ceases, name and form cease.” *~ SN 12.67* The Chinese Agama said **three** reeds can lean againist each other, but the Pali Nalakalapiyo said **two** reeds can lean against each other. My questions are: 1. Are these two Sutra/Sutta equivalent but different versions?1 2. If they are equivalent Sutra/Sutta, which is more reliable? Or, more accurate? 3. They obviously have marked disagreement - can three reeds leaning against each others to stand up, or two reeds? I welcome non-dogmatic, non-sectarian answers, and thanks in advance. Reminder, this is a professional academic comparison, please appeal to logic, reasons and facts. That would be much appreciated. ---------- Footnote: 1. From my knowledge, Chinese Samyutta Agama has two versions, one is from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). But also from my knowledge, there wasn't any script of Pali Canon being brought back from Ceylon to China by the ancient Chinese Buddhist pilgrims in the Chinese Tripitaka. 1.1 Just excuse me rumbling, the Chinese pilgrims took scripts from other sects in Ceylon, not the Mahavihara sect - called Theravada today, who kept the Pali Canon.