The Discourse to Prince Bodhi
[1. The Invitation]
Thus I have heard: at one time the Fortunate One was dwelling amongst the Bhaggas The Bhaggas had a small republic to the west of Bārāṇasī. in the Deer Park in Bhesakaḷā’s According to the Saṁyutta Comm. this was the name of a yakkhinī. Wood on the Crocodile Hill.
Then at that time Prince Bodhi’s palace named Pink Lotus was not long made, and had not been lived in by any ascetic or brāhmaṇa or human being.
Then Prince Bodhi addressed the student Sañjikāputta, saying: “Go, dear Sañjikāputta, and approach the Fortunate One, and after approaching, worship the Fortunate One’s feet with your head in my name, and ask whether he is free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably, and say: ‘Prince Bodhi, reverend Sir, worships with his head at the Fortunate One’s feet, and asks whether you are free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably.’ And say this: ‘May the Fortunate One consent, reverend Sir, to Prince Bodhi offering him a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.’ ”
“Very well, dear Sir,” said the student Sañjikāputta, and after replying to Prince Bodhi, he approached the Fortunate One, and after approaching he exchanged greetings with the Fortunate One, and after exchanging courteous talk and greetings, he sat down on one side.
While sitting on one side the student Sañjikāputta said this to the Fortunate One: “Prince Bodhi, dear Gotama, worships with his head at dear Gotama’s feet, and asks whether you are free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably. And he says this: ‘May the venerable Gotama consent to Prince Bodhi offering him a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.’ ”
The Fortunate One consented by maintaining silence.
Then the student Sañjikāputta, having understood the Fortunate One’s consent, after rising from his seat approached Prince Bodhi, and after approaching, he said this to Prince Bodhi: “We spoke your words to dear Gotama, saying: ‘Prince Bodhi, dear Gotama, worships with his head at dear Gotama’s feet, and asks whether you are free from sickness, free from illness, in good health, and living comfortably. And he says this: “May the venerable Gotama consent to Prince Bodhi offering him a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks”.’ and the Fortunate One consented.”