1. Now the courtezan Ambapâlî heard that the Blessed One had arrived at Kotigâma. And the courtezan Ambapâlî ordered a number of magnificent vehicles to be made ready, mounted one of these vehicles, and left Vesâlî with her magnificent vehicles in order to visit the Blessed One. She
4. Then the Likkhavis went to the place where the Blessed One was. And the Blessed One saw the Likkhavis coming from afar; when he saw them, he addressed the Bhikkhus and said: 'O Bhikkhus, let those of the Bhikkhus who have never seen the Tâvatimsa gods, gaze upon this company of the Likkhavis, behold this company of the Likkhavis, compare this company of the Likkhavis, even as a company of Tâvatimsa gods!' And the Likkhavis went in the carriages as far as the ground was passable for carriages (&c., as in §§ 1, 2, down to:) 'Might the Blessed One, Lord, consent to take his meal with us to-morrow together with the fraternity of Bhikkhus.'
_______________
End of the Likkhavi Bhânavâra.
107:1 Ambakâya, which Buddhaghosa explains by itthikâya, comp. the well-known Mantra, Vâgasaneyi Samhitâ 23. 18: Ambe ambike ’mbâlike, &c. Probably the word ambakâ is a contemptuous form intended here at the same time to convey an allusion to the mango- (amba-) gardens which Ambapâlî possessed, and from which she was named. Comp. Rh. D.'s note at Mahâparinibbâna Sutta II, 19.
108:1 Replace 'the Magadha ministers Sunîdha and Vassakâra' by the courtezan Ambapâlî,' and instead of 'Reverend Gotama,' read 'Lord.'
