The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Second Chapter for Recitation
[16: The Gracious One’s Sickness]
Then the Gracious One, after living near Ambapālī's Wood for as long
as he liked, addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying): “Come Ānanda let
us approach the little village of Beluva.” 71
“Very well, reverend Sir,” venerable Ānanda replied to the Gracious
One. Then the Gracious One together with a great Community of
monks arrived at the little village of Beluva. There the Gracious One
lived near the little village of Beluva.
There the Gracious One addressed the monks, (saying): “Go, monks,
and undertake the Rains Retreat in the vicinity of Vesālī (living) like
friends, like companions, like comrades, and I will spend the Rains
Retreat right here at the little village of Beluva.”
“Very well, reverend Sir,” and those monks, after replying to the
Gracious One, undertook the Rains Retreat in the vicinity of Vesālī
(living) like friends, like companions, like comrades. But the Gracious
One spent the Rains Retreat right there at the little village of Beluva.
Then while dwelling for the Rains Retreat, a heavy affliction arose for
the Gracious One, and continued with strong and death-like feelings.
There the Gracious One dwelt mindfully, with full awareness, and
71 According to the Commentary the village was just south of Vesālī. The
village is named after the Beluva tree (Aegle Marmelos).
66