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82
MAHÂVAGGA.
VI, 23, 4.
and get the strength out of this meat. In such and such a Vihara is a sick Bhikkhu ; give it to that (Bhikkhu). And should anybody call for me, tell him that I am sick;'-(speaking thus), she veiled her thigh with her upper garment, went into her inner room, and lay down on her bed.
4. And Suppiya, the lay-devotee, came to his house and asked the maid-servant: 'Where is Suppiya ?'
She lies in the inner room, Sir.' Then Suppiya, the lay-devotee, went to the place where Suppiya, the lay-devotee, was; having approached her he said to Suppiya, the lay-devotee: Why are you lying down?' 'I am sick.' What is the matter with you ?'
Then Suppiya, the lay-devotee, told the whole matter to Suppiya, the lay-devotee. And Suppiya, the lay-devotee, said: 'Oh wonderfull oh astonishing! How believing and how pious is this Suppiya who gives even her own Aesh (to the indigent). What else can there be which she would not give ?' (Speaking thus), joyful and elated he went to the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, and respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him.
5. Sitting near him, Suppiya, the lay-devotee, said to the Blessed One: “Might the Blessed One, Lord, consent to take his meal with me to-morrow, together with the fraternity of Bhikkhus.
The Blessed One expressed his consent by remaining silent. Then Suppiya, the lay-devotee, when he understood that the Blessed One had accepted his invitation, rose from his seat, respectfully saluted
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