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V, 21, 2. ON THE DAILY LIFE OF THE BHIKKHUS. 127
of that night sweet food, both hard and soft; and had the mansion Kokanada spread over with white cloths even unto the last planks in the flight of steps (at the entrance)1; and gave command to the young Brahman Sañgikâ-putta, saying, 'Come now, my friend Sangikâ-putta, go thou up to the place where the Blessed One is; and when you have come there, announce the time, saying, "The meal, Lord, is ready, and the time has come.'
'Even so, Lord,' said Sangikâ-putta in assent [and went to the Blessed One and announced accordingly]
Now the Blessed One, having dressed himself early in the morning, went, duly bowled and robed, to Bodhi the king's son's mansion. And Bodhi the king's son stood at that time at the portico over the outer door to welcome the Blessed One. And he saw the Blessed One coming from afar; and on seeing him he went forth thence to meet him, and when he had saluted the Blessed One, he returned again to the mansion Kokanada.
Now the Blessed One stopped at the last plank on the flight of steps at the entrance. And Bodhi the king's son said to the Blessed One, 'May my Lord the Blessed One walk over the cloths. May the Happy One walk over the cloths, that the same may be to me for a long time for a weal and for a joy.'
And when he had thus spoken, the Blessed One remained silent. And a second time he [preferred the same request in the same words with the same
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1 Sopâna-kalingarâ. Compare the Sanskrit Kadańkara (also written kadangara). The correct reading is doubtless 7, not 1.
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