On that occasion the pupils of the Six went on in front, and before lodgings had been taken for the Elders, occupied all the places to be had, saying,—
“This is for our superior, this for our instructor, and these for us.”
The Elders who came up afterwards found no place to sleep in. Even Sāriputta’s pupils sought in vain for a lodging-place for the Elder. So the Elder having no lodging passed the night either walking up and down, or sitting at the foot of a tree, not far from the place where the Teacher was lodged.
In the early morning the Teacher came out and coughed. The Elder coughed too.
“Who’s there?” said the Teacher.
“’Tis I, Lord; Sāriputta,” was the reply.
“What are you doing here, so early, Sāriputta?” asked he.
Then he told him what had happened; and on hearing what the Elder said, the Teacher thought,—
“If the monks even now, while I am yet living, show so little respect and courtesy to one another, what will they do when I am dead?” And he was filled with anxiety for the welfare of the Truth.
As soon as it was light he called all the priests together, and asked them—