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On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time Ven. Shariputra was staying among the Magadhans in Nalaka village -- diseased, in pain, severely ill. Cunda the novice was his attendant. Then, because of that illness, Ven. Shariputra attained total Unbinding.
So Cunda the novice, taking Ven. Shariputra’s bowl and robes, went to Ven. Ánanda in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery, near Savatthi, and on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Ven. Ánanda: "Venerable sir, Ven. Shariputra has attained total Unbinding. Here are his bowl and robes."
"Cunda, my friend, this news is reason for seeing the Blessed One. Come, let's go to the Blessed One and report this matter to him."
"Yes, venerable sir," Cunda the novice replied.
So Ven. Ánanda and Cunda the novice went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were sitting there, Ven. Ánanda said to him, "Lord, just now Cunda the novice said to me, 'Venerable sir, Ven. Shariputra has attained total Unbinding. Here are his bowl and robes.' It was as if my body were drugged, I lost my bearings, things weren't clear to me, on hearing that Ven. Shariputra had attained total Unbinding."
"But, Ánanda, when he attained total Unbinding, did Shariputra take the aggregate of virtue along with him? Did he take the aggregate of concentration... discernment... release... the aggregate of knowledge and vision of release along with him?"
"No, lord, when he attained total Unbinding, Ven. Shariputra didn't take the aggregate of virtue... concentration... discernment... release... the aggregate of knowledge and vision of release along with him. It's just that he was my instructor and counselor, one who exhorted, urged, roused, and encouraged me. He was tireless in teaching the Dhamma, a help to his companions in the holy life. We miss the nourishment of his Dhamma, the wealth of his Dhamma, his help in the Dhamma."
"But, Ánanda, haven't I already taught you the state of growing different with regard to all things dear and appealing, the state of becoming separate, the state of becoming otherwise? What else is there to expect? It's impossible that one could forbid anything born, existent, fabricated, and subject to disintegration from disintegrating.
"Just as if the largest limb were to fall off of a great tree composed of heartwood, standing firm; in the same way, Shariputra has attained total Unbinding from this great community of monks composed of heartwood, standing firm. What else is there to expect? It's impossible that one could forbid anything born, existent, fabricated, and subject to disintegration from disintegrating.
"Therefore, Ánanda, each of you should remain with your self as an island, your self as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge. Remain with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as your refuge, without anything else as a refuge. And how does a monk remain with his self as an island, his self as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge? How does he remain with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in and of itself -- ardent, alert, and mindful -- putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings... mind... mental qualities in and of themselves -- ardent, alert, and mindful -- putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. This is how a monk remains with his self as an island, his self as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge, with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as his refuge, without anything else as a refuge. For those who -- now or after I am gone -- remain with their self as an island, their self as their refuge, without anything else as a refuge, with the Dhamma as an island, the Dhamma as their refuge, without anything else as a refuge, they will be the highest of the monks who desire training."