35. THE BUDDHA AND THE VENERABLE ANANDA, WASHING
A MONK SUFFERING FROM DYSENTERY

One monk was suffering from dysentery. As he did not wait upon others, there was no one to wait upon him. The Buddha, accompanied by the Venerable Ananda, went round inspecting the buildings of the monastery and saw the ailing monk sleeping in filth. Immediately the Blessed One sent the Venerable Ananda to fetch water and Himself poured water while the Venerable Ananda scrubbed and cleaned him. The Buddha and the Venerable Ananda thus did their duty of ministering to the sick. Having washed and cleaned the monk, the Blessed One held him by the head, while the Venerable Ananda took hold of his feet and placed him on a couch. The Buddha had the monks assembled and exhorted them thus:-- "You have no parents nearby to wait upon you, and if you do not wait upon one another, who will do so?" And then the Blessed One admonished them as follows:--