BOOK VII.   THE ARAHAT, ARAHANTA. VAGGA

VII. I. THE TATHAGATA SUFFERS NOT'

For him who has completed his journey. This religious instruction
was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jivaka's Mango-
grove with reference to a question asked by Jivaka. The Story of
Jivaka is related in detail in the Khandhaka.^  [164]

Now on a certain occasion Devadatta joined forces with Ajatasattu,
climbed Vulture Peak, and out of the wickedness of his heart, saying
to himself, "I will kill the Teacher," hurled down a rock. Two
mountain crags caught the rock and splintered it; but one of the
flying pieces struck the foot of the Exalted One and caused blood to
flow. The Teacher suffered intense pains and was removed by the
monks to Maddakucchi. Desiring to go on to Jivaka's Mango-grove,
the Teacher said to the monks, "Carry me thither." So the monks
took the Teacher and carried him to Jivaka's Mango-grove.

When Jivaka heard the news, he immediately went to the Teacher
and to heal the wound [165] applied an astringent. Then he bound
up the wound and said to the Teacher, "Reverend Sir, I have a patient
in the city. As soon as I have visited him, I will return. Let this
dressing remain exactly as it is until I return." So saying, Jivaka
went and treated his patient. But the gate was closed when he
returned, and he was therefore unable to enter. Thereupon the
following thought occurred to him, "I have committed a grievous
fault. I applied an astringent to the foot of the Tathagata and bound
up his wound, just as I should have bound up the wound of any other
man. It is now time to remove the bandage. For if the bandage
remains unbound all night long, the Exalted One will suffer intense
pain."

_At that moment the Teacher addressed the Elder Ananda,
"Ananda, Jivaka returned late in the evening and was unable to enter
the gate.   This was the thought in his mind, 'Now it is time to remove

1  Text: N ii. 164-166.

2  Vinaya, Mahd Vagga, viii. 1: i. 268-281.