3.
The Discourse on Cunda
379.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling among the Magadhans at the village of Nālaka, sick, afflicted, severely ill.
And the novice Cunda was the Venerable Sāriputta's attendant.
Then the Venerable Sāriputta attained final Nibbāna from that very illness. Then the novice Cunda, having taken the Venerable Sāriputta's bowl and robes, went to Sāvatthī, to Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park, and approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Ānanda and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the novice Cunda said this to the Venerable Ānanda - "The Venerable Sāriputta, venerable sir, has attained final Nibbāna. This is his bowl and robes."
"There is indeed, friend Cunda, a subject for discussion to see the Blessed One. Come, friend Cunda, let us go to where the Blessed One is; having approached, we will report this matter to the Blessed One." "Yes, venerable sir," the novice Cunda assented to the Venerable Ānanda.
Then the Venerable Ānanda and the novice Cunda approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One - "This novice Cunda, venerable sir, says thus - 'The Venerable Sāriputta, venerable sir, has attained final Nibbāna; this is his bowl and robes.' But my body has become as if weak and stiff, venerable sir, the directions are not clear to me, the teachings do not occur to me, having heard 'the Venerable Sāriputta has attained final Nibbāna.'"
"What then, Ānanda, did Sāriputta attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of morality, or attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of concentration, or attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of wisdom, or attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of liberation, or attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of knowledge and vision of liberation?" "No indeed, venerable sir, the Venerable Sāriputta did not attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of morality, or the aggregate of concentration, etc. or the aggregate of wisdom, or the aggregate of liberation, or attain final Nibbāna taking away the aggregate of knowledge and vision of liberation. But, venerable sir, the Venerable Sāriputta was an exhorter, one who went down into matters, an instructor, one who showed, an instigator, an inciter, a gladdener, untiring in expounding the Teaching, a helper of his fellows in the holy life. We recollect the Venerable Sāriputta's nourishment of the Teaching, wealth of the Teaching, assistance of the Teaching."
"Has this not been declared by me beforehand, Ānanda - 'There is separation, parting, and becoming otherwise from all that is dear and beloved. How could it be obtained here, Ānanda? That what is born, come to be, conditioned, subject to disintegration, should not disintegrate - this is impossible. Just as, Ānanda, of a great tree standing with substance, the larger branch might break off; so too, Ānanda, of the great Community of monks standing with substance, Sāriputta has attained final Nibbāna. How could it be obtained here, Ānanda? That what is born, come to be, conditioned, subject to disintegration, should not disintegrate' - this is impossible. Therefore, Ānanda, 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, Ānanda, 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, Ānanda, 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 indeed, Ānanda, 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, Ānanda, 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, Ānanda, will be at the very topmost, whoever are eager to train." The third.