景德傳燈錄 1.53

1.53

The second patriarch, Ānanda, was a native of Rājagṛha. His caste was Kṣatriya. His father was King Droṇodana; in truth, he was the Buddha's paternal cousin. In Sanskrit, Ānanda means 'Joy' or 'Delight.' He was born on the night the Tathāgata attained the Way, hence his name. Erudite and far-reaching in knowledge, with unhindered wisdom, the World-Honoured One regarded him as foremost in retention of teachings and frequently praised him. In addition, having great merit from past lives, he retained the Dharma treasury like water poured from one vessel into another. The Buddha then appointed him as attendant. Later, King Ajātaśatru said to him: 'Virtuous One, both of the two supreme masters, the Tathāgata and Kāśyapa, have already entered nirvāṇa, and due to many affairs I was unable to see either of them. When you, Virtuous One, enter parinirvāṇa, I pray you deign to bid me farewell.' Ānanda consented. Later, he thought to himself: 'My body is frail and fragile, like a heap of foam. How much more so being decrepit and old—how could it last long?' He also remembered: 'King Ajātaśatru has an agreement with me.' He then went to the royal palace and said to them: 'I wish to enter nirvāṇa and have come only to say farewell.' The doorkeeper said: 'The king is asleep and cannot be disturbed.' Ānanda said: 'When the king awakens, inform him for me.' At that time, King Ajātaśatru saw in a dream a precious canopy adorned with the seven treasures, surrounded and looked up to by tens of millions of people. Suddenly, a violent wind and rain blew and snapped its handle, and the rare jewels and necklaces all fell to the ground. In his heart he was greatly shocked. When he woke up, the doorkeeper fully reported what had happened. Upon hearing these words, the king cried out in loud wailing, his sorrow moving heaven and earth. He immediately went to the city of Vaiśālī, where he saw Ānanda seated cross-legged in the middle of the Gaṅgā River. The king then paid homage and spoke a verse, saying: