The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Third Chapter for Recitation
But venerable Ānanda, despite such a gross hint being made by the
Gracious One, such a gross suggestion being made, was unable to
penetrate it, and did not beg the Gracious One, (saying): “May the
Gracious One remain, reverend Sir, for the lifespan, may the Fortunate
One remain for the lifespan, for the benefit of many people, for the
happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the
welfare, benefit, and happiness of Divinities and men,” like one whose
mind was possessed by Māra.
For a second time the Gracious One addressed venerable Ānanda,
(saying): “Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī, delightful is the Udena shrine,
delightful is the Gotamaka shrine, delightful is the Sattamba shrine,
delightful is the Many Sons' shrine, delightful is the Sārandada shrine,
delightful is the Cāpāla shrine.
Whoever has developed, Ānanda, made much of, carried on,
established, maintained, augmented, and properly instigated the Four
Paths to Power, could, if he wanted, remain for the lifespan or for
what is left of the lifespan. The Realised One has developed, Ānanda,
made much of, carried on, established, maintained, augmented, and
properly instigated the Four Paths to Power. If he wanted, Ānanda, the
Realised One could remain for the lifespan or for what is left of the
lifespan.”
But venerable Ānanda, despite such a gross hint being made by the
Gracious One, such a gross suggestion being made, was unable to
penetrate it, and did not beg the Gracious One, (saying): “May the
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