z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 08.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 537
THE MEETING OF THOSE NEAR AND DEAR
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Sariputta arrived there with a company of five hundred brethren.
After saluting the Blessed One Sariputta told him that the last day of his life on earth had arrived. Will the Blessed Lord be pleased to permit him to give up his mortal coils ?
The Blessed Lord asked Sariputta if he had selected any place for his parinibbana.
Sariputta told the Blessed One, “ I was born in the village Nalaka in Magadha. The house in which I was born still stands. I have chosen my home for my parinibbana.”
The Lord replied, “Dear Sariputta ! Do what pleases you.”
Sariputta fell on the feet of the Blessed Lord and said, “I have practised the paramitas for one thousand Kalpas with only one wish, to have the honour of falling on your feet. I have achieved that end and there is no end to my happiness.”
‘ “We do not believe in rebirth. Therefore this is our last meeting. Let the Lord forgive me my faults. My last day has come.”
“Sariputta! There is-nothing to forgive,” said the Lord.
When Sariputta rose to go, the Lord in his honour got up and stood up on the verandah of the Gaudhakuti Vihar.
Then Sariputta said to the Blessed Lord, “ I was happy when I saw you first. I am happy to see you now. I know this is the last darshan of you I am having. I shall not have your darshan again.”
Joining together the palms of his hand he walked away without showing his back to the Blessed Lord.
Then the Blessed Lord said to the assembled brethren— “Follow your Elder Brother,” and the assembly for the first time left the Blessed Lord and went after Sariputta.
Sariputta on reaching his village died in his home in the very room in which he was born.
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