The Religions of India c19.58

c19.58

now, brother, and call Ānanda in my name and say, ‘Brother Ānanda, thy Master calls for thee.’” “Even so, Lord,” said that brother, and he went up to where Ānanda was, and said to the venerable Ānanda: “Brother Ānanda, thy Master calls for thee.” “It is well, brother,” said the venerable Ānanda, and he went to the place where Buddha was. And when he was come thither he bowed down before the Blessed One, and took his seat on one side. Then the Blessed One said to the venerable Ānanda, as he sat there by his side: “Enough, Ānanda, let not thyself be troubled; weep not. Have I not told thee already that we must divide ourselves from all that is nearest and dearest? How can it be possible that a being born to die should not die? For a long time, Ānanda, hast thou been very near to me by acts of love that is kind and good and never varies, and is beyond all measure. (This Buddha repeats three times.) Thou hast done well. Be earnest in effort. Thou, too, shalt soon be free.” . . . When he had thus spoken, the venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One: “Let not the Blessed One die in this little wattle and daub town, a town in the midst of the jungle, in this branch township. For, Lord, there are other great cities such as Benares (and others). Let the Blessed One die in one of them.”’