z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 09.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 577
HIS HUMANITY
- “Lord, that brother has dysentery.”
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“But, brethren, is there anyone taking care of him ?”
“No, Lord.”
“Why not ? Why do not the brethren take care of him ?”
“The brother is useless to the brethren, Lord. That is why the brethren do not take care of him.”
“Brethren, ye have no mother and father to take care of you. If ye will not take care of each other, who else, I ask, will do so ? Brethren, he who would wait on me, let him wait on the sick.
“If he have a teacher, let his teacher take care of him so long as he is alive, and wait for his recovery. If he have a tutor or a lodger, a disciple or a fellow lodger or a fellow disciple, such should take care of him and await his recovery. If no one takes care of him, it shall be reckoned an offence.”
(ii)
Once the Exalted One was staying near Rajagraha in the great grove, at the squirrels feeding ground.
On that occasion the venerable Vakkali was staying in the potter’s shed, being sick, afflicted, stricken with a sore disease.
Now the venerable Vakkali called to his attendants, saying : “Come hither, friends ! Go ye to the Exalted One and, in my name worshipping at the feet of the Exalted One, say unto Him : ‘Lord, the brother Vakkali is sick, afflicted, stricken with a sore disease. He worships at the feet of the Exalted One.’ And thus do you say : ‘Well, were it, Lord, if the Exalted One would visit brother Vakkali, out of compassion for him.’ ”
The Exalted One consented by His silence. Thereupon the Exalted One robed himself, and, taking bowl and robe, went to visit the venerable Vakkali.
Now the venerable Vakkali saw the Exalted
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