Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.314

v1.c7.314

On several occasions it is news that Ānanda brings to the Buddha—e.g., about the death of the Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta, and about Devadatta’s plots, already mentioned—which provoke the Buddha to preach to him: Phagguna has died, and at his death his senses seemed very clear; so they would, says the Buddha, and proceeds to speak of the advantages of listening to the Dhamma in due season (A. iii. 381 f.). Or again, Girimānanda is ill and would the Buddha go and see him? The Buddha suggests that Ānanda should go and tell Girimānanda about the ten kinds of saññā (aniccasaññā, etc.), and the patient will recover (A. v. 108 f.). Ānanda desires to retire into solitude and develop zeal and energy; would the Buddha tell him on which topics to meditate? And the Buddha preaches to him the doctrine of impermanence (S. iii. 187; iv. 54-5).