In Kusinara

At the time the Blessed One was about to pass into final extinction in Kusinara, he was between two Sal trees in the historic Sala forest of the Mallas.

Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of the bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent.

For the second time the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of you bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent for the second time.

For the third time the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and said: Bhikkhus, if there is any doubt or consternation to a single one of you bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method ask it now, do not have remorse later. O! we came face to face with the Teacher and could not ask this, from the Teacher himself. When this was said, the bhikkhus were silent for the third time.

Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:

Bhikkhus, it might be out of respect for the Teacher, that you do not speak, inform your associates about your doubts. Even when this was said, the bhikkhus were silent.

Then venerable Ānanda said: Venerable sir, it is wonderful and surprising. I am delighted with this Community of bhikkhus there are no doubts or consternation to a single one of these bhikkhus, about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method

Ānanda, you talk of delight, I know that out of these five hundred bhikkhus, there is not a single who has doubts or consternation about Enlightenment, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the path or method. Ānanda, the least out of these five hundred bhikkhus is a stream winner who aims enlightenment and would not fall from there.