[103] "Ānanda, on one occasion I was staying at Rājagaha, on the Gijjhakūṭa mountain. There too, Ānanda, I addressed you: 'Ānanda, Rājagaha is delightful; the Gijjhakūṭa mountain is delightful. Ānanda, whoever has developed the four bases of psychic power (iddhipāda), cultivated them, made them a vehicle, made them a foundation, established them, consolidated them, and thoroughly undertaken them—he, if he so wished, could remain for the aeon (kappa) or for the remainder of the aeon. Ānanda, the Tathāgata's four bases of psychic power have been developed, cultivated, made a vehicle, made a foundation, established, consolidated, and thoroughly undertaken. The Tathāgata, Ānanda, if he so wished, could remain for the aeon or for the remainder of the aeon.' Yet even when so obvious a hint was thus being given by the Tathāgata, so obvious a sign being made, you were unable to penetrate it, Ānanda; you did not beg the Tathāgata: 'May the Blessed One remain for the aeon; may the Sugata remain for the aeon—for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.' If you had begged the Tathāgata, Ānanda, the Tathāgata would have refused your words only twice, but would have consented the third time. Therefore, Ānanda, this is your wrongdoing alone; this is your failing alone."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.