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

64. 'Come, Ânanda, let us go to the Kûtâgâra Hall, to the Mahâvana.' 'Even so, Lord!' said the venerable Ânanda, in assent, to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One proceeded, with Ânanda [1. I do not understand the connection of ideas between this paragraph and the idea repeated with such tedious iteration in the preceding paragraphs. The two seem to be in marked contrast, if not in absolute contradiction. Perhaps we have here the older tradition and certainly the latter utterance of the two is more in accordance with the general impression of the character, and with the other sayings, of Gotama as handed down in the Pâli Pitakas.] p. 60 with him, to the Mahâvana to the Kûtâgâra Hall: and when he had arrived there he addressed the venerable Ânanda, and said: 'Go now, Ânanda, and assemble in the Service Hall such of the brethren as reside in the neighbourhood of Vesâli.' 'Even so, Lord,' said the venerable Ânanda, in assent, to the Blessed One. And when he had assembled in the Service Hall such of the brethren as resided in the neighbourhood of Vesâli, he went to the Blessed One and saluted him and stood beside him. And standing beside him, he addressed the Blessed One, and said: 'Lord! the assembly of the brethren has met together. Let the Blessed One do even as seemeth to him fit.' 65. Then the Blessed One proceeded to the Service Hall, and sat down there on the mat spread out for him. And when he was seated the Blessed One addressed the brethren, and said: