The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Third Chapter for Recitation
welfare, benefit, and happiness of Divinities and men,” like one whose
mind was possessed by Māra.
Then the Gracious One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying): “Go,
Ānanda, now is the time for whatever you are thinking.”
“Very well, reverend Sir,” said venerable Ānanda, and after replying
to the Gracious One, rising from his seat, worshipping and
circumambulating the Gracious One, he sat down not far away at the
root of a certain tree.
[18: The Relinquishment of the Life Process]
Then the Wicked Māra, not long after venerable Ānanda had gone,
approached the Gracious One, and after approaching, he stood on one
side. While standing on one side the Wicked Māra said this to the
Gracious One:
“May the Gracious One attain Final Emancipation now, reverend Sir,
may the Fortunate One attain Final Emancipation, now is the time,
reverend Sir, for the Gracious One's Final Emancipation. For these
words, reverend Sir, were spoken by the Gracious One:
‘I will not attain Final Emancipation, Wicked One, for as long as my
monks are not (true) disciples, accomplished, disciplined, confident,
learned, bearers of the Teaching, practising in conformity with the
Teaching, correct in their practice, living in conformity with the
Teaching, and having learned it from their own teacher, will declare,
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