The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Fifth Chapter for Recitation
Realised One, only occasionally, infrequently, do Realised Ones,
Worthy Ones, Perfect Sambuddhas arise in the world, and today
during the last watch of the night will be the Realised One's Final
Emancipation, and this powerful monk is stood in front concealing the
Realised One, 142 and we are not able to see the Realised One at the last
moment.’ ”
“But what beings and Divinities is the Gracious One thinking of?”
“There are, Ānanda, Divinities in the sky, perceiving the Earth, who,
having dishevelled hair, are weeping, throwing up their arms, falling
down (as though) cut down, rolling backwards and forwards as though
with their feet cut off, they are crying: ‘Too quickly the Gracious One
will attain Final Emancipation, too quickly the Fortunate One will
attain Final Emancipation, too quickly the Visionary in the world will
disappear!’
There are, Ānanda, Divinities on the Earth, perceiving the Earth, who,
having dishevelled hair, are weeping, throwing up their arms, falling
down (as though) cut down, rolling backwards and forwards as though
with their feet cut off, they are crying: ‘Too quickly the Gracious One
will attain Final Emancipation, too quickly the Fortunate One will
142 Comm: Thero kira pakatiyāpi mahāsarīro hatthipotakasadiso, so
paṁsukūlacīvaraṁ pārupitvā atimahā viya ahosi; the Elder was naturally
big in body, like a young elephant, and after donning his rag-robe he was
like someone exceedingly big.
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