9.
The First Discourse on Dabba
79.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Then the Venerable Dabba the Mallian approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the Venerable Dabba the Mallian said this to the Blessed One -
"Now is the time for my final Nibbāna, Fortunate One."
"Now do as you think fit, Dabba."
Then the Venerable Dabba the Mallian, having risen from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, rose up into the sky, sat cross-legged in the air, in the atmosphere, attained the heat element, emerged from it, and attained final Nibbāna.
Then, of the Venerable Dabba the Mallian who had risen up into the sky, sat cross-legged in the air, in the atmosphere, attained the heat element, emerged from it, and attained final Nibbāna, as his body was burning and blazing, neither ashes appeared nor soot. Just as when ghee or oil is burning and blazing, neither ashes appear nor soot; so too, of the Venerable Dabba the Mallian who had risen up into the sky, sat cross-legged in the air, in the atmosphere, attained the heat element, emerged from it, and attained final Nibbāna, as his body was burning and blazing, neither ashes appeared nor soot.
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -
All feelings became cool;
Activities were appeased,
Consciousness came to an end." The ninth.