[154] Now at that time the Venerable Mahākassapa, together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhus, some five hundred bhikkhus, was traveling on the highway from Pāvā to Kusinārā. Then the Venerable Mahākassapa stepped aside from the road and sat down at the root of a certain tree.
Now at that time a certain Ājīvaka, having taken a mandārava flower from Kusinārā, was traveling on the highway to Pāvā. The Venerable Mahākassapa saw that Ājīvaka coming in the distance, and having seen him, said to him: "Friend, do you know of our Teacher?" "Yes, friend, I know: today it is seven days since the ascetic Gotama attained final Nibbāna (parinibbuta). It was from there that I took this mandārava flower." Thereupon those bhikkhus who were not yet free from lust — some of them, stretching forth their arms, wept; they fell down as though their feet had been cut off; they rolled back and forth, crying: "Too soon has the Blessed One attained final Nibbāna! Too soon has the Well-Gone One attained final Nibbāna! Too soon has the Eye in the World vanished!" But those bhikkhus who were free from lust endured it, with mindfulness and clear comprehension, reflecting: "Conditioned things (saṅkhārā) are impermanent — how could it be obtained here that they should not pass?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.