Said the Tathāgata to Ānanda: "In former years, Ānanda, Māra, the
Evil One, approached the holy Buddha three times to tempt him. 1
"And now, Ānanda, Māra, the Evil One, came again today to the
place where I was, and, standing beside me, addressed me in the
same words as he did when I was resting under the shepherd's
Nigrodha tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā river: 'Be greeted,
thou Holy One. Thou hast attained the highest bliss and it is
time for thee to enter into the final Nirvāna.' 2
"And when Māra had thus spoken, Ānanda, I answered him and said:
'Make thyself happy, O wicked one; the final extinction of the
Tathāgata shall take place before long.'" 3
And the venerable Ānanda addressed the Blessed One and said:
"Vouchsafe, Lord, to remain with us, O Blessed One! for the good
and the happiness of the great multitudes, out of pity for the
world, for the good and the gain of mankind!" 4
Said the Blessed One: "Enough now, Ānanda, beseech not the
Tathāgata!" 5
And again, a second time, the venerable Ānanda besought the
Blessed One in the same words. And he received from the Blessed
One the same reply. 6
And again, the third time, the venerable Ānanda besought the
Blessed One to live longer; and the Blessed One said: "Hast thou
faith, Ānanda?" 7