The Story of Thirty Bhikkhus

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (175) of this book, with reference to thirty bhikkhus.

Once, thirty bhikkhus came to pay homage to the Buddha. When they came in, the Venerable Ananda, who was then attending on the Buddha, left the room and waited outside. After some time, Thera Ananda went in, but he did not find any of the bhikkhus. So, he asked the Buddha where all those bhikkhus had gone. The Buddha then replied, "Ananda, all those bhikkhus, after hearing my discourse, had attained arahatship, and with their supernormal powers, they let travelling through space."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 175: Swans travel in the sky; those with supernormal powers travel through space; the wise having conquered Mara together with his army, go out of this world (i.e., realize Nibbana).