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56
THE BOOK OF THE GREAT DECEASE.
CH.
desire it, could remain in the same birth for a kalpa, or for that portion of a kalpa which has yet to run. But even when a suggestion so evident and a hint so clear were thus given thee by the Tathagata, thou wast yet incapable of comprehending them, and thou besoughtest not the Tathagata, saying, Vouchsafe, Lord, to remain during the kalpa. Live on, 0 Blessed One! through the kalpa for the good and the happiness of the great multitudes, out of pity for the world, for the good and the gain and the weal of gods and men. If thou shouldst then have so besought the Tathậgata, the Tathậgata might have rejected the appeal even to the second time, but the third time he would have granted it. Thine, therefore, O Ânanda, is the fault, thine is the offence !"
57. On one occasion, Ânanda, I was dwelling at that same Râgagaha in the Banyan Grove-on one occasion at that same Râgagaha at the Robbers' Cliff —on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in the Sattapanni cave on the slope of Mount Vebhâra—on one occasion at that same Râgagaha at the Black Rock on the slope of Mount Isigili-on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in the Sîtavana Grove in the mountain cave Sappasondika – on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in the Tapoda Grove-on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in the Bambu Grove in the Squirrels' Feeding Ground—on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in Gîvaka's Mango Grove -on one occasion at that same Râgagaha in the Deer Forest at Maddakukkhi.'
58. ‘Now there too, Ânanda, I spoke to thee, and said: “How pleasant, Ananda, is Râgagaha; how pleasant the Vulture's Peak; how pleasant the
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