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Udàna 5: Soõavaggo
The Chapter (including the Discourse) about Soõa

2: The Discourse about the One Short-Lived

Thus I heard:
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sàvatthã, in Jeta's Wood, at Anàthapiõóika's monastery.

Then venerable ânanda, having risen from seclusion in the evening time, went to the Gracious One, and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side. While sat on one side the venerable ânanda said this to the Gracious One: ßIt is wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir, just how short-lived, reverend Sir, the Gracious One's mother was, seven days after the Gracious One was born, the Gracious One's mother died, and arose among the Tusita hosts.û

ßIt is just so, ânanda, the mothers of Awakening-Ones are indeed short-lived, seven days after the Awakening-Ones are born, the mothers of Awakening-Ones die, and arise among the Tusita hosts.û

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: