February 22, 2023
 
The Buddha appeared on earth to teach the seekers of Truth things as they truly are and a unique path for the deliverance of all ills of life. During His long and successful ministry He fulfilled His noble mission to the satisfaction of both Himself and His followers. In His eightieth year He felt that His work was over. He had given all necessary instructions to His earnest followers – both the householders and the homeless ones – and they were not only firmly established in His Teachings but were also capable of expounding them to others. He therefore decided not to control the remainder of His life-span by His willpower and by experiencing the bliss of Arahantship. While residing at the Capala Cetiya the Buddha announced to Venerable Ānanda that He would pass away in three months’ time.
 
Venerable Ānanda instantly recalled the saying of the Buddha and begged of Him to live for a kappa for the good and happiness of all. “Enough Ānanda, beseech not the Tathāgata. The time for making such a request is now past,” was the Buddha’s reply.
 
He then spoke on the fleeting nature of life and went with Venerable Ānanda to the Pinnacled Hall at Mahāvana and requested him to assemble all the Bhikkhus in the neighbourhood of Vesāli. To the assembled Bhikkhus the Buddha spoke as follows:
 
“Whatever truths have been expounded to you by me, study them well, practise, cultivate and develop them so that this Holy life may last long and be perpetuated out of compassion for the world, for the good and happiness of the many, for the good and happiness of gods and men.”
 
“What are those truths?”
 
“They are: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Kinds of Right Endeavour, The Four Means of Accomplishment, The Five Faculties, The Five Powers, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and The Noble Eightfold Path.”
 
“Behold, O Bhikkhus, now I speak to you. Transient are all conditioned things. Strive on with diligence. The passing away of the Tathāgata will take place before long. At the end of three months from now the Tathāgata will pass away.”
 
“Ripe is my age. Short is my life. Leaving you I shall depart. I have made myself my refuge. O Bhikkhus, be diligent, mindful and virtuous. With well-directed thoughts guard your mind. He who lives heedfully in this Dispensation will escape life’s wandering and put an end to suffering.”
 
Casting His last glance at Vesāli, the Buddha went with Venerable Ānanda to Bhandagama and addressing the Bhikkhus said:
 
“Morality, concentration, wisdom and Deliverance supreme.
These things were realized by the renowned Gotama.
Comprehending them, the Buddha taught the doctrine to the disciples.
The Teacher with sight has put an end to sorrow and has extinguished all passions.”
(Excerpted from The Buddha and His Teachings, Narada Mahathera)
 
The Buddha persevered on His journey, walking from village to village to teach the Dhamma and help people become free from suffering. He then accepted a final meal from Upāsaka Cunda, which contained heavenly flavors offered by the deities. The Buddha expressed his appreciation to Upāsaka Cunda for the meal and continued the walk for three consecutive months, despite his old age and frailty. Although He was exhausted by illness in his final days, He remained dedicated to His teaching and continued to teach until His parinibbāna.
 
The Enlightened One’s bare feet tirelessly traversed a lifetime, trampling on all thorns and challenges, crossing dangerous mountains and rivers, despite the sun, rain, mist, and dust. Those feet continued until they were swollen when He reached the Sāla forest in the land of Kusinārā, belonging to the Malla royal family, in the late afternoon of the full moon day in April of the lunar month. The moon rose and a silvery fog enveloped the surroundings, creating an atmosphere akin to a thin silk screen. Both heaven and earth remained pure, untainted by even a speck of dust, welcoming the arrival of this extraordinary being.
 
The Buddha instructed Venerable Ānanda, “Ānanda, prepare for me the bed between the twin Sāla trees, with the head to the north.” The Buddha then lay on His right side with His legs staggered, His right leg straight, and His left leg and knee slightly bent. The position of His feet was unequal, and He was mindful, clearly aware, with no predetermined time to emerge. (Excerpted from Rằm tháng Tư Trong Phật Giáo – Đức Phật Tịch Diệt Niết-bàn tại Kusinārā, Bhikkhu Dhammarakkhita Hộ Pháp)
 
(To be Continued)

#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
 
Source: Dhammacetiya