THE LAST MESSAGE OF THE BUDDHA
(by
Dr. K Sri Dhammananda from his book : "What Buddhists Believe")
‘When I
am gone, my Teaching shall be your Master and Guide.’
Three months before His passing away the
Buddha addressed His disciples and said,’I have delivered sermons to you during
these forty-five years. You must learn them well and treasure them. You must
practise them and teach them to others. This will be of great use for the
welfare of the living and for the welfare of those who come after you.’
‘My years are now full ripe; the life span
left is short. I will soon have to leave you. You must be earnest. O monks, be
mindful and of pure virtue! Whoever untiringly pursues the Teaching, will go beyond
the cycle of birth and death and will make an end of Suffering.’
When Ananda asked the Buddha what would become
of the Order after He passed away, the Buddha replied,’What does the Order
expect of me, Ananda? I have preached the Truth without any distinction; for in
regard to the Truth, there is no clenched hand in the Teachings of the
Buddha….It may be, Ananda, that some among you, the thought will come,’The
Master’s words will soon end; soon we will no longer have a master.’ But do not
think like this, Ananda. When I am gone, my Teaching and the disciplinary code
shall be your Master.’
The Buddha further explained:’If there is
anyone who thinks, ‘It is I who willl lead the brotherhood’, or ‘The Order is
dependent on me, it is I who should give instructions’, the Buddha does not
think that He should lead the Order or that the Order is dependent on Him. I
have reached the end of my days. Just as a worn-out cart can only be made to
move with much additional care, so my body can be kept going only with much
additional care. Therefore, Ananda, be a lamp and refuge unto yourselves. Look
for no other refuge. Let the Truth be your lamp and your refuge. Seek no refuge
elsewhere.’
At the age of eighty, on His birthday, He
passed away without showing any wordly supernatural powers. He showed the real
nature of component things even in His own life.
When the Buddha passed away into Nibbana, one
of His disciples remarked,’All must depart-all beings that have life must shed
their compounded forms. Yes, even a Master such as He, a peerless being,
powerful in Wisdom and Enlightenment, even He must pass away.’
The parting words of the Buddha: ‘Appamadena
Sampadetha Vaya Dhamma Sankhara’.
‘Work diligently. Component things are impermanent.’ (Maha Parinibbana Sutta)