Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.369

v1.c7.369

Once in Jetavana, in an assembly of monks, the Buddha spoke the praises of Ānanda, and ranked him the foremost bhikkhu in five respects: erudition, good behaviour (gatimantānaṃ, power of walking, according to Dhammapāla), retentive memory, resoluteness and personal attention.⁸¹ Again, shortly before the Buddha’s death, he speaks affectionately of Ānanda⁸²; Ānanda knew the right time to bring visitors to the Tathāgata; he had four exceptional qualities, in that whoever came to see him, monks or nuns, laymen or laywomen, they were all filled with joy on beholding him⁸³; when he preached to them they listened with rapture and delight, which never tired.⁸⁴