ལས་བརྒྱ་ཐམ་པ་པ 26.9

26.9

and I am overcome with affection for them, I can’t keep them in line.”

“Ānanda, if you are overcome with affection for them and can’t teach them, then place them with another monk.”

“Lord Mahā­maudgalyāyana, who could set aside their own virtuous work to train these two?”

“Ask one of your friends,” he replied.

“You are my friend, Lord,” said Ānanda.

So Venerable Ānanda took the boys by the hand and presented them to Venerable Mahā­maudgalyāyana, saying, “Boys, you two cannot study with me. Study with Lord Mahā­maudgalyāyana.”

The two boys thought, “This monk is no softie, that’s for sure. That’s why he handed us over to him.” Bearing this in mind they were diligent in their studies. But when they happily discovered that Venerable Mahā­maudgalyāyana was also gentle and friendly, the two began to consider him an equal as well, and could not learn from him.

Venerable Ānanda asked, “Lord Mahā­maudgalyāyana, why is it you aren’t teaching these two?”

“Venerable Ānanda, they consider me an equal as well,” he replied, “so I can’t teach them.”

“Then fill them with weariness for saṃsāra. If you don’t, they won’t be able to learn,” said Venerable Ānanda.

“As you wish, Venerable Ānanda,” he said.

Maudgalyāyana took the boys on a walk and along the way emanated hell beings so the boys would feel disenchanted with saṃsāra. The two boys heard very menacing sounds not far from where they were walking and went to Venerable Mahā­maudgalyāyana. Venerable Mahā­maudgalyāyana asked them, “Boys, what is that sound?”

“Master, we’re not entirely sure what that sound is,” they said.

Mahā­maudgalyāyana told them, “You two go and see where those noises are coming from.”