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XI, 1, 10. ON THE COUNCIL OF RAGAGAHA.
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able Ananda That was ill done by thee, friend Ananda, in that thou didst not ask the Blessed One which were the lesser and minor precepts. Confess thy fault.'
'Through forgetfulness was it, Sirs, that I did not ask that of the Blessed One. I see no fault therein. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault'.'
'This also, friend Ananda, was ill done by thee, in that thou steppedst upon the Blessed One's rainyseason garment to sew it. Confess thy fault.' 'It was not, Sirs, through any want of respect to the Blessed One that I did so. I see no fault therein. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'
'This also, friend Ânanda, was ill done by thee, in that thou causedst the body of the Blessed One to be saluted by women first, so that by their weeping the body of the Blessed One was defiled by tears. Confess that fault.'
'I did so, Sirs, with the intention that they should not be kept beyond due time. I see no fault therein. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'
'This too, friend Ânanda, was ill done by thee, in that even when a suggestion so evident and a hint so clear were given thee by the Blessed One, thou didst not beseech him, saying, "Let the Blessed One remain on for a kalpa! Let the Happy One remain on for a kalpa for the good and happiness of the
1 Compare Mahâvagga X, 1, 8, at the end.
It is worthy of notice that this episode is not referred to in the 'Book. of the Great Decease' (VI, 23-26. Compare V, 46–51).
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