4.
The Discourse at Ukkacelā
380.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Vajjis at Ukkacelā on the bank of the river Ganges together with a large Community of monks, not long after Sāriputta and Moggallāna had attained final Nibbāna.
Now at that time the Blessed One was seated in the open air surrounded by the Community of monks.
Then the Blessed One, having surveyed the Community of monks who were silent, addressed the monks - "Indeed, monks, this assembly appears empty to me now that Sāriputta and Moggallāna have attained final Nibbāna. The assembly is not empty for me, monks, and I have no concern for that direction in which Sāriputta and Moggallāna dwell. Those who were Worthy Ones, Perfectly Enlightened Ones in the past period of time, monks, those Blessed Ones too had just such a supreme pair of disciples - just as Sāriputta and Moggallāna are to me. Those who will be Worthy Ones, Perfectly Enlightened Ones in the future period of time, monks, those Blessed Ones too will have just such a supreme pair of disciples - just as Sāriputta and Moggallāna are to me. Wonderful, monks, for the disciples! Marvellous, monks, for the disciples! That they will be ones who follow the Teacher's instruction, who accept exhortation, and will be dear to the four assemblies, agreeable, respected and esteemed! Wonderful, monks, for the Truth-finder, marvellous, monks, for the Truth-finder! That indeed when such a pair of disciples has attained final Nibbāna, there is no sorrow or lamentation for the Truth-finder! How could that be obtained here, monks! That what is born, come to be, conditioned, subject to disintegration, should not disintegrate - this is impossible. Just as, monks, of a great tree standing with substance, the larger branches might break off; so too, monks, of the great Community of monks standing with substance, Sāriputta and Moggallāna have attained final Nibbāna. How could that be obtained here, monks! That what is born, come to be, conditioned, subject to disintegration, should not disintegrate - this is impossible. Therefore, monks, dwell having yourselves as an island, having yourselves as a refuge, with no other refuge, having the Teaching as an island, having the Teaching as a refuge, with no other refuge.
"And how, monks, does a monk dwell having himself as an island, having himself as a refuge, with no other refuge, having the Teaching as an island, having the Teaching as a refuge, with no other refuge? Here, monks, a monk dwells observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; in feelings... etc. In mind... etc. He dwells observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. Thus, monks, a monk dwells having himself as an island, having himself as a refuge, with no other refuge, having the Teaching as an island, having the Teaching as a refuge, with no other refuge. Whoever, monks, either now or after my passing, will dwell having themselves as an island, having themselves as a refuge, with no other refuge, having the Teaching as an island, having the Teaching as a refuge, with no other refuge; these monks will be at the very topmost for me, monks, whoever are eager to train." The fourth.