234. Venerable Ānanda went to the house, leaned against the doorpost and wept, saying: “I am but a learner. I still have to attain perfection. But alas, my teacher, he who is so compassionate towards me, is about to pass away.” Then the Lord asked the monks: “Where is Ānanda?” and they told him and the Lord said: “Go monk, and say to Ānanda: ‘Friend Ānanda, the Lord calls you’.” When Ānanda came, the Lord said to him: “Enough Ānanda, do not cry. Have I not taught that it is the nature of all things beloved that we must suffer separation and be severed from them? For that which is born, come to be and compounded is also subject to dissolution. How could it be otherwise? For a long time Ānanda, you have served the Tathāgata with thoughts of love, with words of love and with deeds of love, helpfully, happily, whole-heartedly and immeasurably. You have created great good. Now put forth energy and soon you too will be free from the defilements.”
D.II,144 (DN 16)