Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.498

v1.c7.498

2. Ānanda Sutta.—Once Ānanda was living in a forest tract in the Kosala country and was much occupied in talking to the laity who came to see him. A deva of the forest, desiring his welfare, came up to him and suggested that he might stop his constant babbling and meditate instead.¹ According to Buddhaghosa,² this was soon after the Buddha's death, shortly before Ānanda became arahant. People, knowing of his close attendance on the Master, were ever asking for details about the Parinibbāna and when they mourned he had to admonish them. He used to wander about, taking with him the Buddha's begging bowl and robe. In the Theragāthā³ the same admonition is put into the mouth of a Vajjiputta monk.