Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

p. 58 them [in all respects as just now fully described], and might, should he desire it, remain alive for a kalpa, or for that portion of a kalpa which has yet to run.' 61. 'On one occasion, Ânanda, I was dwelling here at Vesâli at the Gotamaka Ketiya--on one occasion here at Vesâli at the Sattamba Ketiya--on one occasion here at Vesâli at the Bahuputta Ketiya--on one occasion here at Vesâli at the Sârandada Ketiya [and on each occasion I spoke to thee, Ânanda, in the same words]. 62. 'And now to-day, Ânanda, at the Kâpâla Ketiya, I spoke to thee, and said: "How pleasant, Ânanda, is Vesâli; how pleasant the Udena Ketiya; how pleasant the Gotamaka Ketiya; how pleasant the Sattamba Ketiya; how pleasant the Bahuputta Ketiya; how pleasant the Sârandada Ketiya. Whosoever, Ânanda, has thought out and developed, practised, accumulated, and ascended to the very heights of the four paths to saintship, and so mastered them as to be able to use them as a means of (mental) advancement, and as a basis for edification--he, should he desire it, could remain in the same birth for a kalpa, or for that portion of a kalpa which has yet to run. Now the Tathâgata has thought and thoroughly practised them [in all respects as just now fully described], and might, should he desire it, remain alive for a kalpa, or for that portion of a kalpa which has yet to run." 63. 'But now, Ânanda, have I not formerly[1] declared