[94] Then, in the morning, the Blessed One dressed and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Vesālī for alms. Having walked for alms in Vesālī, after the meal, on returning from the alms round, he addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Take the sitting cloth (nisīdana), Ānanda; we shall go to the Pāvāla Shrine (cetiya) for the day's abiding." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One, and taking the sitting cloth he followed behind the Blessed One, step by step.
Then the Blessed One approached the Pāvāla Shrine, and having approached, he sat down on the seat that had been prepared. The Venerable Ānanda, having paid homage to the Blessed One, sat down to one side. As the Venerable Ānanda sat to one side, the Blessed One said this to him: "Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī; delightful is the Udena Shrine, delightful the Gotamaka Shrine, delightful the Sattamba Shrine, delightful the Bahuputta Shrine, delightful the Sārandada Shrine, delightful the Pāvāla Shrine. Whoever, Ānanda, has developed the four bases of psychic power (iddhipāda), made much of them, made them a vehicle, made them a foundation, established them, consolidated them, and thoroughly undertaken them — he, if he wished, Ānanda, could remain for the eon (kappa) or for the remainder of the eon. The Tathāgata, Ānanda, has developed the four bases of psychic power, made much of them, made them a vehicle, made them a foundation, established them, consolidated them, and thoroughly undertaken them; the Tathāgata, if he wished, Ānanda, could remain for the eon or for the remainder of the eon."
But even though so obvious a hint was being given by the Blessed One, so obvious a sign was being given, the Venerable Ānanda was unable to penetrate it. He did not beseech the Blessed One: "May the Blessed One, venerable sir, remain for the eon! May the Sublime One (Sugata) remain for the eon — for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, the welfare, and the happiness of gods and humans" — his mind being as though possessed by Māra.
A second time the Blessed One … A third time the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Delightful, Ānanda, is Vesālī; delightful is the Udena Shrine, delightful the Gotamaka Shrine, delightful the Sattamba Shrine, delightful the Bahuputta Shrine, delightful the Sārandada Shrine, delightful the Pāvāla Shrine. Whoever, Ānanda, has developed the four bases of psychic power, made much of them, made them a vehicle, made them a foundation, established them, consolidated them, and thoroughly undertaken them — he, if he wished, could remain for the eon or for the remainder of the eon. The Tathāgata, Ānanda, has developed the four bases of psychic power, made much of them, made them a vehicle, made them a foundation, established them, consolidated them, and thoroughly undertaken them; the Tathāgata, if he wished, Ānanda, could remain for the eon or for the remainder of the eon."
But even though so obvious a hint was being given by the Blessed One, so obvious a sign was being given, the Venerable Ānanda was unable to penetrate it. He did not beseech the Blessed One: "May the Blessed One, venerable sir, remain for the eon! May the Sublime One remain for the eon — for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, the welfare, and the happiness of gods and humans" — his mind being as though possessed by Māra.
Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda: "Go now, Ānanda; it is time for whatever you think fit." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One. Rising from his seat, he paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping his right side towards him, and sat down at the root of a certain tree not far away.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.