["\\\"Come\t in,\\\"\t said\t he.\t The\t Buddha\t came\t in.\t For\t the\t second and\t third\t time\t he\t made\t the\t same\t request\t and\t the\t Buddha obeyed.\t But\t when\t he\t commanded\t him\t for\t the\t fourth\t time, the\tBuddha\trefused\tand\tasked\thim\tto\tdo\twhat\the\tcould. \\\"Well,\t I\t will\t ask\t you\t a\t question,\\\"\t said\t \u00c1\u1e37avaka,\t \\\"If\t you will\tnot\tanswer,\tI\twill\tscatter\tyour\tthoughts,\tor\ttear\tout\tyour heart,\t or\t take\t you\t by\t your\t feet\t and\t fling\t you\t across\t the Ganges.\\\" \\\"Nay,\tfriend,\\\"\treplied\tthe\tBuddha,\t\\\"I\tsee\tnot\tin\tthis\tworld inclusive\tof\tgods,\tbrahmas,\tascetics,\tand\tbrahmins,\tamongst the\t multitude\t of\t gods\t and\t men,\t any\t who\t could\t scatter\t my thoughts,\t or\t tear\t out\t my\t heart,\t or\t take\t me\t by\t my\t feet\t and fling\tme\tacross\tthe\tGanges.\tHowever,\tfriend,\task\twhat\tyou wish.\\\" \u00c1\u1e37avaka\tthen\tasked\tthe\tfollowing\tquestions: \\\"Herein,\twhich\tis\tman's\tbest\tpossession? Which\twell\tpractised\tyields\thappiness? Which\tindeed\tis\tthe\tsweetest\tof\ttastes? How\tlived,\tdo\tthey\tcall\tthe\tbest\tlife?\\\" To\tthese\tquestions\tthe\tBuddha\tanswered\tthus: \\\"Herein\tconfidence\tis\tman's\tbest\tpossession. Dhamma\twell\tpractised\tyields\thappiness. Truth\tindeed\tis\tthe\tsweetest\tof\ttastes. Life\tlived\twith\tunderstanding\tis\tbest,\tthey\tsay.\\\" \u00c1\u1e37avaka\tnext\tasked\tthe\tBuddha: 201","\\\"How\tdoes\tone\tcross\tthe\tflood? How\tdoes\tone\tcross\tthe\tsea? How\tdoes\tone\tovercome\tsorrow? How\tis\tone\tpurified?\\\" The\tExalted\tOne\treplied: \\\"By\tconfidence\tone\tcrosses\tthe\tflood, by\theedfulness\tthe\tsea. By\teffort\tone\tovercomes\tsorrow, by\twisdom\tis\tone\tpurified.\\\" \u00c1\u1e37avaka\tthen\tinquired: \\\"How\tis\twisdom\tgained? How\tare\triches\tfound? How\tis\trenown\tgained? How\tare\tfriends\tbound? Passing\tfrom\tthis\tworld\tto\tthe\tnext, how\tdoes\tone\tnot\tgrieve?\\\"\t191 In\tanswer\tthe\tBuddha\tsaid: \\\"The\t heedful,\t intelligent\t person\t of\t confidence\t gains wisdom\tby\thearing\tthe\tDhamma\tof\tthe\tPure\tOnes\tthat leads\t to\t Nibb\u0101na.\t He\t who\t does\t what\t is\t proper, persevering\t and\t strenuous,\t gains\t wealth.\t By\t truth\t one attains\tto\tfame.\tGenerosity\tbinds\tfriends. \\\"That\tfaithful\thouseholder\twho\tpossesses\tthese\tfour virtues\u2014truthfulness,\t good\t morals,\t courage\t and liberality\u2014grieves\tnot\tafter\tpassing\taway. 202","\\\"Well,\t ask\t many\t other\t ascetics\t and\t brahmins whether\t there\t is\t found\t anything\t greater\t than truthfulness,\tself-control,\tgenerosity,\tand\tpatience. Understanding\t well\t the\t meaning\t of\t the\t Buddha's\t words, \u00c1\u1e37avaka\tsaid: \\\"How\t could\t I\t now\t ask\t diverse\t ascetics\t and\t brahmins? Today\tI\tknow\twhat\tis\tthe\tsecret\tof\tmy\tfuture\twelfare. \\\"For\t my\t own\t good\t did\t the\t Buddha\t come\t to\t \u00c1\u1e37avi. Today\t I\t know\t where\t gifts\t bestowed\t yield\t fruit\t in abundance.\tFrom\tvillage\tto\tvillage,\tfrom\ttown\tto\ttown will\tI\twander\thonouring\tthe\tFully\tEnlightened\tOne\tand the\tperfection\tof\tthe\tsublime\tDhamma.\\\" SEVENTEENTH\tYEAR\tWAS\tSPENT\tAT\tR\u0100JAGAHA EIGHTEENTH\tYEAR\tWAS\tSPENT\tAT\tC\u0100LIYA\tROCK NINETEENTH\tAND\tTWENTIETH\tYEARS\tWERE\tSPENT\tAT R\u0100JAGAHA Buddha\tand\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la It\t was\t in\t the\t 20th\t year\t that\t the\t Buddha\t converted\t the notorious\t murderer\t A\u1e47gulim\u0101la.\t 192\t Ahi\u1e43saka\t (Innocent) was\t his\t original\t name.\t His\t father\t was\t chaplain\t to\t the\t king of\t Kosala.\t He\t received\t his\t education\t at\t Taxila,\t the\t famous educational\t centre\t in\t the\t olden\t days,\t and\t became\t the\t most illustrious\t and\t favourite\t pupil\t of\t his\t renowned\t teacher. Unfortunately\t his\t colleagues\t grew\t jealous\t of\t him, 203","concocted\t a\t false\t story,\t and\t succeeded\t in\t poisoning\t the teacher's\t mind\t against\t him.\t The\t enraged\t teacher,\t without any\t investigation,\t contrived\t to\t put\t an\t end\t to\t his\t life\t by ordering\t him\t to\t fetch\t a\t thousand\t human\t right-hand\t fingers as\tteacher's\thonorarium.\tIn\tobedience\tto\tthe\tteacher,\tthough with\t great\t reluctance,\t he\t repaired\t to\t the\t J\u0101lin\u012b\t forest,\t in Kosala,\t and\t started\t killing\t people\t to\t collect\t fingers\t for\t the necessary\toffering.\tThe\tfingers\tthus\tcollected\twere\thung\ton a\ttree,\tbut\tas\tthey\twere\tdestroyed\tby\tcrows\tand\tvultures\the later\t wore\t a\t garland\t of\t those\t fingers\t to\t ascertain\t the\t exact number.\t Hence\t he\t was\t known\t by\t the\t name\t A\u1e47gulim\u0101la (Finger-wreathed).\t When\t he\t had\t collected\t 999\t fingers,\t so the\t books\t state,\t the\t Buddha\t appeared\t on\t the\t scene. Overjoyed\t at\t the\t sight,\t because\t he\t thought\t that\t he\t could complete\t the\t required\t number\t by\t killing\t the\t great\t ascetic, he\t stalked\t the\t Buddha\t drawing\t his\t sword.\t The\t Buddha\t by his\t psychic\t powers\t created\t obstacles\t on\t the\t way\t so\t that A\u1e47gulim\u0101la\t would\t not\t be\t able\t to\t get\t near\t him\t although\t he walked\tat\this\tusual\tpace.\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la\tran\tas\tfast\tas\the\tcould but\t he\t could\t not\t overtake\t the\t Buddha.\t Panting\t and sweating,\the\tstopped\tand\tcried:\t\\\"Stop,\tascetic.\\\"\tThe\tBuddha calmly\t said:\t \\\"Though\t I\t walk,\t yet\t have\t I\t stopped.\t You\t too, A\u1e47gulim\u0101la\t stop.\\\"\t The\t bandit\t thought\t \u2014\\\"These\t ascetics speak\t the\t truth,\t yet\t he\t says\t he\t has\t stopped,\t whereas\t it\t is\t I who\thave\tstopped.\tWhat\tdoes\the\tmean?\\\" Standing,\the\tquestioned\thim: \\\"You\twho\tare\twalking,\tmonk,\tsay:\t'I\thave\tstopped!' And\t me\t you\t say,\t who\t have\t stopped,\t I\t have\t not stopped! I\task\tyou,\tmonk,\twhat\tis\tthe\tmeaning\tof\tyour\twords? 204","How\t can\t you\t say\t that\t you\t have\t stopped\t but\t I\t have not?\\\" The\tBuddha\tsweetly\treplied: \\\"Yes,\tI\thave\tstopped,\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la,\tforever. Towards\tall\tliving\tthings\trenouncing\tviolence; You\thold\tnot\tyour\thand\tagainst\tyour\tfellow\tmen, Therefore\tI\thave\tstopped,\tbut\tyou\tstill\tgo\ton.\\\" A\u1e47gulim\u0101la's\t good\t kamma\t rushed\t up\t to\t the\t surface.\t He thought\tthat\tthe\tgreat\tascetic\twas\tnone\tother\tbut\tthe\tBuddha Gotama\twho\tout\tof\tcompassion\thad\tcome\tto\thelp\thim. Straightaway\t he\t threw\t away\t his\t armour\t and\t sword\t and became\t a\t convert.\t Later,\t as\t requested\t by\t him\t he\t was admitted\tinto\tthe\tNoble\torder\tby\tthe\tBuddha\twith\tthe\tmere utterance,\t'Come,\tO\tbhikkhu!'\t(ehi\tbhikkhu). News\tspread\tthat\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la\thad\tbecome\ta\tbhikkhu.\tThe king\tof\tKosala,\tin\tparticular,\twas\tgreatly\trelieved\tto\thear\tof his\t conversion\t because\t he\t was\t a\t veritable\t source\t of\t danger to\this\tsubjects. But\t A\u1e47gulim\u0101la\t had\t no\t peace\t of\t mind,\t because\t even\t in his\t solitary\t meditation\t he\t used\t to\t recall\t memories\t of\t his past\t and\t the\t pathetic\t cries\t of\t his\t unfortunate\t victims.\t As\t a result\t of\t his\t evil\t kamma,\t while\t seeking\t alms\t in\t the\t streets he\twould\tbecome\ta\ttarget\tfor\tstray\tstones\tand\tsticks\tand\the would\t return\t to\t the\t monastery\t 'with\t broken\t head\t and flowing\t blood,\t cut\t and\t crushed'\t to\t be\t reminded\t by\t the Buddha\t that\t he\t was\t merely\t reaping\t the\t effects\t of\t his\t own kamma. 205","One\t day\t as\t he\t went\t on\t his\t round\t for\t alms\t he\t saw\t a woman\t in\t travail.\t Moved\t by\t compassion,\t he\t reported\t this pathetic\t woman's\t suffering\t to\t the\t Buddha.\t He\t then\t advised him\t to\t pronounce\t the\t following\t words\t of\t truth,\t which\t later came\tto\tbe\tknown\tas\tthe\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la\tParitta.\t193 \\\"Sister,\t since\t my\t birth\t in\t the\t ariya\t clan\t (i.e.,\t since\t his ordination)\t I\t know\t not\t that\t I\t consciously\t destroyed\t the\t life of\t any\t living\t being.\t By\t this\t truth\t may\t you\t be\t whole,\t and may\tyour\tchild\tbe\twhole.\\\"\t194 He\t studied\t this\t paritta\t and,\t going\t to\t the\t presence\t of\t the suffering\tsister,\tsat\ton\ta\tseat\tseparated\tfrom\ther\tby\ta\tscreen, and\t uttered\t these\t words.\t Instantly\t she\t was\t delivered\t of\t the child\t with\t ease.\t The\t efficacy\t of\t this\t paritta\t persists\t to\t this day. In\tdue\tcourse\tVenerable\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la\tattained\tarahantship. Referring\tto\this\tmemorable\tconversion\tby\tthe\tBuddha,\the says: \\\"Some\tcreatures\tare\tsubdued\tby\tforce, Some\tby\tthe\thook,\tand\tsome\tby\twhips, But\tI\tby\tsuch\ta\tOne\twas\ttamed, Who\tneeded\tneither\tstaff\tnor\tsword.\\\"\t195 The\t Buddha\t spent\t the\t remaining\t twenty-five\t years\t of\t his life\t mostly\t in\t S\u0101vatth\u012b\t at\t the\t Jetavana\t Monastery\t built\t by An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika,\t the\t millionaire,\t and\t partly\t at\t Pubb\u0101r\u0101ma, built\tby\tVis\u0101kh\u0101,\tthe\tchief\tbenefactress. 206","XIII. The\tBuddha's\tDaily\tRoutine \\\"The\t Lord\t is\t awakened.\t He\t teaches\t the Dhamma\tfor\tawakening.\\\" \u2014Majjhima\tNik\u0101ya T he\t Buddha\t can\t be\t considered\t the\t most\t energetic and\t the\t most\t active\t of\t all\t religious\t teachers\t that ever\t lived\t on\t earth.\t The\t whole\t day\t he\t was occupied\t with\t his\t religious\t activities\t except\t when\t he\t was attending\t to\t his\t physical\t needs.\t He\t was\t methodical\t and systematic\t in\t the\t performance\t of\t his\t daily\t duties.\t His\t inner life\t was\t one\t of\t meditation\t and\t was\t concerned\t with\t the experiencing\t of\t nibb\u0101nic\t bliss,\t while\t his\t outer\t life\t was\t one of\t selfless\t service\t for\t the\t moral\t upliftment\t of\t the\t world. Himself\t enlightened,\t he\t endeavoured\t his\t best\t to\t enlighten others\tand\tliberate\tthem\tfrom\tthe\tills\tof\tlife. His\t day\t was\t divided\t into\t five\t parts:\t (i)\t the\t forenoon session,\t (ii)\t the\t afternoon\t session,\t (iii)\t the\t first\t watch,\t (iv) the\tmiddle\twatch,\tand\t(v)\tthe\tlast\twatch. The\tForenoon\tSession 207","Usually\t early\t in\t the\t morning\t he\t surveys\t the\t world\t with\t his divine\t eye\t to\t see\t whom\t he\t could\t help.\t If\t any\t person\t needs his\t spiritual\t assistance,\t uninvited\t he\t goes,\t often\t on\t foot, sometimes\t by\t air\t using\t his\t psychic\t powers,\t and\t converts that\tperson\tto\tthe\tright\tpath. As\ta\trule\the\tgoes\tin\tsearch\tof\tthe\tvicious\tand\tthe\timpure, but\tthe\tpure\tand\tthe\tvirtuous\tcome\tin\tsearch\tof\thim. For\t instance,\t the\t Buddha\t went\t of\t his\t own\t accord\t to convert\tthe\trobber\tand\tmurderer\tA\u1e47gulim\u0101la\tand\tthe\twicked demon\t \u00c1\u1e37avaka,\t but\t pious\t young\t Vis\u0101kh\u0101,\t generous millionaire\t An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika,\t and\t intellectual\t S\u0101riputta\t and Moggall\u0101na\tcame\tup\tto\thim\tfor\tspiritual\tguidance. While\t rendering\t such\t spiritual\t service\t to\t whomsoever\t it is\tnecessary,\tif\the\tis\tnot\tinvited\tto\tpartake\tof\talms\tby\ta\tlay supporter\t at\t some\t particular\t place,\t he,\t before\t whom\t kings prostrated\t themselves,\t would\t go\t in\t quest\t of\t alms\t through alleys\t and\t streets,\t with\t bowl\t in\t hand,\t either\t alone\t or\t with his\tdisciples. Standing\t silently\t at\t the\t door\t of\t each\t house,\t without uttering\t a\t word,\t he\t collects\t whatever\t food\t is\t offered\t and placed\tin\tthe\tbowl\tand\treturns\tto\tthe\tmonastery. Even\t in\t his\t eightieth\t year\t when\t he\t was\t old\t and\t in indifferent\thealth,\the\twent\ton\this\trounds\tfor\talms\tin\tVes\u0101li. Before\t midday\t he\t finishes\t his\t meal.\t Immediately\t after lunch\t he\t daily\t delivers\t a\t short\t discourse\t to\t the\t people, establishes\t them\t in\t the\t three\t refuges\t and\t the\t five\t precepts and\t if\t any\t person\t is\t spiritually\t advanced,\t he\t is\t shown\t the path\tto\tsainthood. 208","At\t times\t he\t grants\t ordination\t to\t them\t if\t they\t seek admission\tto\tthe\torder\tand\tthen\tretires\tto\this\tchamber. The\tAfternoon\tSession After\tthe\tnoon\tmeal\the\ttakes\ta\tseat\tin\tthe\tmonastery\tand\tthe bhikkhus\t assemble\t to\t listen\t to\t his\t exposition\t of\t the Dhamma.\tSome\tapproach\thim\tto\treceive\tsuitable\tobjects\tof meditation\taccording\tto\ttheir\ttemperaments;\tothers\tpay\ttheir due\t respects\t to\t him\t and\t retire\t to\t their\t cells\t to\t spend\t the afternoon. After\t his\t discourse\t or\t exhortation\t to\t his\t disciples,\t he himself\tretires\tto\this\tprivate\tperfumed\tchamber\tto\trest.\tIf\the so\t desires,\t he\t lies\t on\t his\t right\t side\t and\t sleeps\t for\t a\t while with\t mindfulness.\t On\t rising,\t he\t attains\t to\t the\t ecstasy\t of great\t compassion\t (mah\u0101-karu\u1e47\u0101-sam\u0101patti)\t and\t surveys, with\this\tdivine\teye,\tthe\tworld,\tespecially\tthe\tbhikkhus\twho retired\tto\tsolitude\tfor\tmeditation\tand\tother\tdisciples\tin\torder to\tgive\tthem\tany\tspiritual\tadvice\tthat\tis\tneeded.\tIf\tthe\terring ones\t who\t need\t advice\t happen\t to\t be\t at\t a\t distance,\t there\t he goes\tby\tpsychic\tpowers,\tadmonishes\tthem\tand\tretires\tto\this chamber. Towards\t evening\t the\t lay\t followers\t flock\t to\t him\t to\t hear the\t Dhamma.\t Perceiving\t their\t innate\t tendencies\t and\t their temperaments\twith\tthe\tbuddha-eye,\t196\the\tpreaches\tto\tthem for\t about\t one\t hour.\t Each\t member\t of\t the\t audience,\t though differently\t constituted,\t thinks\t that\t the\t Buddha's\t sermon\t is directed\tin\tparticular\tto\thim.\tSuch\twas\tthe\tBuddha's\tmethod of\texpounding\tthe\tDhamma.\tAs\ta\trule\tthe\tBuddha\tconverts others\tby\texplaining\this\tteachings\twith\thomely\tillustrations 209","and\t parables,\t for\t he\t appeals\t more\t to\t the\t intellect\t than\t to emotion. To\t the\t average\t man\t the\t Buddha\t at\t first\t speaks\t of generosity,\t discipline,\t and\t heavenly\t bliss.\t To\t the\t more advanced\t he\t speaks\t on\t the\t evils\t of\t material\t pleasures\t and on\tthe\tblessings\tof\trenunciation.\tTo\tthe\thighly\tadvanced\the expounds\tthe\tfour\tnoble\ttruths. On\t rare\t occasions\t as\t in\t the\t case\t of\t A\u1e47gulim\u0101la\t and Khem\u0101\tdid\tthe\tBuddha\tresort\tto\this\tpsychic\tpowers\tto\teffect a\tchange\tof\theart\tin\this\tlisteners. The\tsublime\tteachings\tof\tthe\tBuddha\tappealed\tto\tboth\tthe masses\tand\tthe\tintelligentsia\talike.\tA\tBuddhist\tpoet\tsings: \\\"Giving\tjoy\tto\tthe\twise,\tpromoting\tthe\tintelligence\tof\tthe middling,\tand\tdispelling\tthe\tdarkness\tof\tthe\tdull-witted,\tthis speech\tis\tfor\tall\tpeople.\\\"\t197 Both\t the\t rich\t and\t the\t poor,\t the\t high\t and\t the\t low, renounced\t their\t former\t faiths\t and\t embraced\t the\t new message\t of\t peace.\t The\t infant\t s\u0101sana\t (dispensation\t of\t the Buddha),\t which\t was\t inaugurated\t with\t a\t nucleus\t of\t five ascetics,\tsoon\tdeveloped\tinto\tmillions\tand\tpeacefully\tspread throughout\tcentral\tIndia. The\tFirst\tWatch This\tperiod\tof\tthe\tnight\textends\tfrom\t6\tto\t10\tp.m.\tand\twas exclusively\treserved\tfor\tinstruction\tto\tbhikkhus.\tDuring\tthis time\tthe\tbhikkhus\twere\tfree\tto\tapproach\tthe\tBuddha\tand\tget their\t doubts\t cleared,\t question\t him\t on\t the\t intricacies\t of\t the Dhamma,\tobtain\tsuitable\tobjects\tof\tmeditation,\tand\thear\tthe 210","doctrine. The\tMiddle\tWatch During\t this\t period,\t which\t extends\t from\t 10\t p.m.\t to\t 2\t a.m., celestial\t beings\t such\t as\t devas\t and\t brahmas,\t who\t are invisible\t to\t the\t physical\t eye,\t approach\t the\t Buddha\t to question\t him\t on\t the\t Dhamma.\t An\t oft-recurring\t passage\t in the\t suttas\t is:\t \\\"Now\t when\t the\t night\t was\t far\t spent\t a\t certain deva\t of\t surpassing\t splendour\t came\t to\t the\t Buddha, respectfully\t saluted\t him\t and\t stood\t at\t one\t side.\\\"\t Several discourses\t and\t answers\t given\t to\t their\t queries\t appear\t in\t the Sa\u1e43yutta\tNik\u0101ya. The\tLast\tWatch The\tsmall\thours\tof\tthe\tmorning,\textending\tfrom\t2\tto\t6\ta.m., which\tcomprise\tthe\tlast\twatch,\tare\tdivided\tinto\tfour\tparts. The\t first\t part\t is\t spent\t in\t pacing\t up\t and\t down (ca\u1e47kamana).\t This\t serves\t as\t a\t mild\t physical\t exercise\t to him.\t During\t the\t second\t part,\t that\t is\t from\t 3\t to\t 4\t a.m.\t He mindfully\tsleeps\ton\this\tright\tside.\tDuring\tthe\tthird\tpart,\tthat is\t from\t 4\t to\t 5\t a.m.,\t he\t attains\t the\t state\t of\t arahantship\t and experiences\t nibb\u0101nic\t bliss.\t For\t one\t full\t hour\t from\t 5\t to\t 6 a.m.\t He\t attains\t the\t ecstasy\t of\t great\t compassion\t (mah\u0101- karu\u1e47\u0101-sam\u0101patti)\tand\tradiates\tthoughts\tof\tloving\tkindness towards\t all\t beings\t and\t softens\t their\t hearts.\t At\t this\t early hour\the\tsurveys\tthe\twhole\tworld\twith\this\tbuddha-eye\tto\tsee whether\t he\t could\t be\t of\t service\t to\t any.\t The\t virtuous\t and those\t that\t need\t his\t help\t appear\t vividly\t before\t him\t though 211","they\t may\t live\t at\t a\t remote\t distance.\t Out\t of\t compassion\t for them\t he\t goes\t of\t his\t own\t accord\t and\t renders\t necessary spiritual\tassistance. The\t whole\t day\t he\t is\t fully\t occupied\t with\t his\t religious duties.\tUnlike\tany\tother\tliving\tbeing\the\tsleeps\tonly\tfor\tone hour\tat\tnight.\tFor\ttwo\tfull\thours\tin\tthe\tmorning\tand\tat\tdawn he\t pervades\t the\t whole\t world\t with\t thoughts\t of\t boundless love\t and\t brings\t happiness\t to\t millions.\t Leading\t a\t life\t of voluntary\t poverty,\t seeking\t his\t alms\t without inconveniencing\t any,\t wandering\t from\t place\t to\t place\t for eight\t months\t throughout\t the\t year\t preaching\t his\t sublime Dhamma,\t he\t tirelessly\t worked\t for\t the\t good\t and\t happiness of\tall\ttill\this\teightieth\tyear. According\t to\t the\t Dharmaprad\u012bpik\u0101\t the\t last\t watch\t is divided\t into\t these\t four\t parts.\t According\t to\t the commentaries\t the\t last\t watch\t consists\t of\t three\t parts.\t During the\t third\t part\t the\t Buddha\t attains\t the\t ecstasy\t of\t great compassion. 212","XIV. The\tBuddha's\tParinibb\u0101na (Death) \\\"The\tsun\tshines\tby\tday.\tThe\tmoon\tis\tradiant by\tnight. Armoured\tshines\tthe\twarrior\tking. Meditating\tthe\tbr\u0101hma\u1e47a\tshines. But\t all\t day\t and\t night\t the\t Buddha\t shines\t in glory.\\\" \u2014Dhp\t387 T he\t Buddha\t was\t an\t extraordinary\t being. Nevertheless\the\twas\tmortal,\tsubject\tto\tdisease\tand decay\t as\t are\t all\t beings.\t He\t was\t conscious\t that\t he would\tpass\taway\tin\this\teightieth\tyear.\tModest\tas\the\twas\the decided\t to\t breathe\t his\t last\t not\t in\t renowned\t cities\t like S\u0101vatth\u012b\tor\tR\u0101jagaha,\twhere\this\tactivities\twere\tcentred,\tbut in\ta\tdistant\tand\tinsignificant\thamlet\tlike\tKusin\u0101r\u0101. In\t his\t own\t words\t the\t Buddha\t was\t in\t his\t eightieth\t year like\t\\\"a\tworn-out\tcart.\\\"\tThough\told\tin\tage,\tyet,\tbeing\tstrong in\t will,\t he\t preferred\t to\t traverse\t the\t long\t and\t tardy\t way\t on foot\t accompanied\t by\t his\t favourite\t disciple,\t Venerable \u00c1nanda.\t It\t may\t be\t mentioned\t that\t Venerable\t S\u0101riputta\t and Moggall\u0101na,\t his\t two\t chief\t disciples,\t predeceased\t him.\t So 213","did\tVenerable\tR\u0101hula\tand\tYasodhar\u0101. R\u0101jagaha,\t the\t capital\t of\t Magadha,\t was\t the\t starting\t point of\this\tlast\tjourney. Before\t his\t impending\t departure\t from\t R\u0101jagaha\t King Aj\u0101tasattu,\t the\t parricide,\t contemplating\t an\t unwarranted attack\t on\t the\t prosperous\t Vajjian\t Republic,\t sent\t his\t Prime Minister\tto\tthe\tBuddha\tto\tknow\tthe\tBuddha's\tview\tabout\this wicked\tproject. Conditions\tof\twelfare The\t Buddha\t declared\t that\t (i)\t as\t long\t as\t the\t Vajjians\t meet frequently\tand\thold\tmany\tmeetings;\t(2)\tas\tlong\tas\tthey\tmeet together\t in\t unity,\t rise\t in\t unity\t and\t perform\t their\t duties\t in unity;\t (3)\t as\t long\t as\t they\t enact\t nothing\t not\t enacted, abrogate\t nothing\t that\t has\t already\t been\t enacted,\t act\t in accordance\t with\t the\t already\t established\t ancient\t Vajjian principles;\t(4)\tas\tlong\tas\tthey\tsupport,\trespect,\tvenerate\tand honour\t the\t Vajjian\t elders,\t and\t pay\t regard\t to\t their\t worthy speech;\t (5)\t as\t long\t as\t no\t women\t or\t girls\t of\t their\t families are\t detained\t by\t force\t or\t abduction;\t (6)\t as\t long\t as\t they support,\t respect,\t venerate,\t honour\t those\t objects\t of\t worship \u2014internal\tand\texternal\u2014and\tdo\tnot\tneglect\tthose\trighteous ceremonies\t held\t before;\t (7)\t as\t long\t as\t the\t rightful protection,\t defence\t and\t support\t for\t the\t arahants\t shall\t be provided\t by\t the\t Vajjians\t so\t that\t arahants\t who\t have\t not come\t may\t enter\t the\t realm\t and\t those\t who\t have\t entered\t the realm\t may\t live\t in\t peace\u2014so\t long\t may\t the\t Vajjians\t be expected\tnot\tto\tdecline,\tbut\tto\tprosper. Hearing\t these\t seven\t conditions\t of\t welfare\t which\t the 214","Buddha\t himself\t taught\t the\t Vajjians,\t the\t Prime\t Minister, Vassak\u0101ra,\t took\t leave\t of\t the\t Buddha,\t fully\t convinced\t that the\tVajjians\tcould\tnot\tbe\tovercome\tby\tthe\tking\tof\tMagadha in\tbattle,\twithout\tdiplomacy\tor\tbreaking\tup\ttheir\talliance. The\tBuddha\tthereupon\tavailed\thimself\tof\tthis\topportunity to\t teach\t seven\t similar\t conditions\t of\t welfare\t mainly\t for\t the benefit\t of\t his\t disciples.\t He\t summoned\t all\t the\t bhikkhus\t in R\u0101jagaha\tand\tsaid: (1)\t \\\"As\t long,\t O\t disciples,\t as\t the\t bhikkhus\t assemble frequently\t and\t hold\t frequent\t meetings;\t (2)\t as\t long\t as the\t bhikkhus\t meet\t together\t in\t unity,\t rise\t in\t unity,\t and perform\t the\t duties\t of\t the\t Sangha\t in\t unity;\t (3)\t as\t long as\t the\t bhikkhus\t shall\t promulgate\t nothing\t that\t has\t not been\t promulgated,\t abrogate\t not\t what\t has\t been promulgated,\t and\t act\t in\t accordance\t with\t the\t already prescribed\t rules;\t (4)\t as\t long\t as\t the\t bhikkhus\t support, respect,\t venerate\t and\t honour\t those\t long-ordained Theras\t of\t experience,\t the\t fathers\t and\t leaders\t of\t the order,\t and\t respect\t their\t worthy\t speech;\t (5)\t as\t long\t as the\t bhikkhus\t fall\t not\t under\t the\t influence\t of\t uprisen attachment\t that\t leads\t to\t repeated\t births;\t (6)\t as\t long\t as the\tbhikkhus\tshall\tdelight\tin\tforest\tretreats;\t(7)\tas\tlong as\t the\t bhikkhus\t develop\t mindfulness\t within themselves\t so\t that\t disciplined\t co-celibates\t who\t have not\t come\t yet\t may\t do\t so\t and\t those\t who\t are\t already present\t may\t live\t in\t peace\u2014so\t long\t may\t the\t bhikkhus be\texpected\tnot\tto\tdecline,\tbut\tto\tprosper. As\tlong\tas\tthese\tseven\tconditions\tof\twelfare\tshall\tcontinue to\t exist\t amongst\t the\t bhikkhus,\t as\t long\t as\t the\t bhikkhus\t are 215","well-instructed\t in\t these\t conditions\u2014so\t long\t may\t they\t be expected\tnot\tto\tdecline,\tbut\tto\tprosper. With\t boundless\t compassion\t the\t Buddha\t enlightened\t the bhikkhus\ton\tseven\tother\tconditions\tof\twelfare\tas\tfollows: \\\"As\t long\t as\t the\t bhikkhus\t shall\t not\t be\t fond\t of,\t or delight\t in,\t or\t engage\t in,\t business;\t as\t long\t as\t the bhikkhus\t shall\t not\t be\t fond\t of,\t or\t delight\t in,\t or\t engage in,\tgossiping;\tas\tlong\tas\tthe\tbhikkhus\tshall\tnot\tbe\tfond of,\tor\tdelight\tin\tsleeping;\tas\tlong\tas\tthe\tbhikkhus\tshall not\t be\t fond\t of,\t or\t delight\t in,\t or\t indulge\t in,\t society;\t as long\tas\tthe\tbhikkhus\tshall\tneither\thave,\tnor\tfall\tunder, the\t influence\t of\t base\t desires;\t as\t long\t as\t the\t bhikkhus shall\tnot\thave\tevil\tfriends\tor\tassociates\tand\tshall\tnot\tbe prone\t to\t evil\u2014so\t long\t the\t bhikkhus\t shall\t not\t stop\t at mere\t lesser,\t special\t acquisition\t without\t attaining arahantship.\\\" Furthermore,\tthe\tBuddha\tadded\tthat\tas\tlong\tas\tthe\tbhikkhus shall\t be\t devout,\t modest,\t conscientious,\t full\t of\t learning, persistently\t energetic,\t constantly\t mindful\t and\t full\t of wisdom\u2014so\t long\t may\t the\t bhikkhus\t be\t expected\t not\t to decline,\tbut\tto\tprosper. S\u0101riputta's\tPraise Enlightening\tthe\tbhikkhus\twith\tseveral\tother\tdiscourses,\tthe Buddha,\t accompanied\t by\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda,\t left\t R\u0101jagaha and\t went\t to\t Ambalahik\u0101\t and\t thence\t to\t N\u0101land\u0101,\t where\t he stayed\t at\t the\t P\u0101v\u0101rika\t mango\t grove.\t On\t this\t occasion\t the Venerable\tS\u0101riputta\tapproached\tthe\tBuddha\tand\textolled\tthe 216","wisdom\tof\tthe\tBuddha,\tsaying:\t\\\"Lord,\tso\tpleased\tam\tI\twith the\t Exalted\t One\t that\t methinks\t there\t never\t was,\t nor\t will there\tbe,\tnor\tis\tthere\tnow,\tany\tother\tascetic\tor\tbrahmin\twho is\t greater\t and\t wiser\t than\t the\t Buddha\t as\t regards\t self enlightenment.\\\" The\t Buddha,\t who\t did\t not\t approve\t of\t such\t an\t encomium from\ta\tdisciple\tof\this,\treminded\tVenerable\tS\u0101riputta\tthat\the had\t burst\t into\t such\t a\t song\t of\t ecstasy\t without\t fully appreciating\tthe\tmerits\tof\tthe\tBuddhas\tof\tthe\tpast\tand\tof\tthe future. Venerable\t S\u0101riputta\t acknowledged\t that\t he\t had\t no intimate\tknowledge\tof\tall\tthe\tsupremely\tEnlightened\tOnes, but\t maintained\t that\t he\t was\t acquainted\t with\t the\t Dhamma lineage,\t the\t process\t through\t which\t all\t attain\t supreme buddhahood,\t that\t is\t by\t overcoming\t the\t five\t n\u012bvara\u1e47a namely,\t (i)\t sense-desires,\t (ii)\t ill\t will,\t (iii)\t sloth\t and\t torpor, (iv)\trestlessness\tand\tbrooding,\t(v)\tindecision;\tby\tweakening the\t strong\t passions\t of\t the\t heart\t through\t wisdom;\t by thoroughly\t establishing\t the\t mind\t in\t the\t four\t kinds\t of mindfulness;\tand\tby\trightly\tdeveloping\tthe\tseven\tfactors\tof enlightenment. P\u0101liputta From\t N\u0101land\u0101\t the\t Buddha\t proceeded\t to\t P\u0101lig\u0101ma\t where Sun\u012bdha\t and\t Vassak\u0101ra,\t the\t chief\t ministers\t of\t Magadha, were\tbuilding\ta\tfortress\tto\trepel\tthe\tpowerful\tVajjians. Here\t the\t Buddha\t resided\t in\t an\t empty\t house\t and, perceiving\twith\this\tsupernormal\tvision\tthousands\tof\tdeities haunting\t the\t different\t sites,\t predicted\t that\t P\u0101liputta\t would 217","become\t the\t chief\t city\t inasmuch\t as\t it\t is\t a\t residence\t for ariyas,\ta\ttrading\tcentre\tand\ta\tplace\tfor\tthe\tinterchange\tof\tall kinds\tof\twares,\tbut\twould\tbe\tsubject\tto\tthree\tdangers\tarising from\tfire,\twater\tand\tdissension. Hearing\tof\tthe\tBuddha's\tarrival\tat\tP\u0101lig\u0101ma,\tthe\tministers invited\t the\t Buddha\t and\t his\t disciples\t for\t a\t meal\t at\t their house.\t After\t the\t meal\t was\t over\t the\t Buddha\t exhorted\t them in\tthese\tverses: \\\"Wheresoe'er\tthe\tprudent\tman\tshall\ttake\tup\this\tabode. Let\t him\t support\t the\t brethren\t there,\t good\t men\t of\t self- control, And\tgive\tthe\tmerit\tof\this\tgifts\tto\tthe\tdeities who\thaunt\tthe\tspot. Revered,\tthey\twill\trevere\thim:\thonoured, they\thonour\thim\tagain, Are\t gracious\t to\t him\t as\t a\t mother\t to\t her\t own,\t her\t only son. And\tthe\tman\twho\thas\tthe\tgrace\tof\tthe\tgods, good\tfortune\the\tbeholds.\\\"\t198 In\t honour\t of\t his\t visit\t to\t the\t city\t they\t named\t the\t gate\t by which\the\tleft\t\\\"Gotama-Gate\\\",\tand\tthey\tdesired\tto\tname\tthe ferry\t by\t which\t he\t would\t cross\t \\\"Gotama-Ferry,\\\"\t but\t the Buddha\t crossed\t the\t overflowing\t Ganges\t by\t his\t psychic powers\t while\t the\t people\t were\t busy\t making\t preparations\t to cross. Future\tstates From\t the\t banks\t of\t the\t Ganges\t he\t went\t to\t Kotigama\t and 218","thence\tto\tthe\tvillage\tof\tNadika\tand\tstayed\tat\tthe\tBrick\tHall. Thereupon\t the\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t approached\t the\t Buddha and\t respectfully\t questioned\t him\t about\t the\t future\t states\t of several\t persons\t who\t died\t in\t that\t village.\t The\t Buddha patiently\t revealed\t the\t destinies\t of\t the\t persons\t concerned and\ttaught\thow\tto\tacquire\tthe\tmirror\tof\tthe\tDhamma\tso\tthat an\tariya\tdisciple\tendowed\ttherewith\tmay\tpredict\tof\thimself thus:\t \\\"Destroyed\t for\t me\t is\t birth\t in\t a\t woeful\t state,\t animal realm,\t Peta\t 199\t realm,\t sorrowful,\t evil,\t and\t low\t states.\t A stream-winner\t am\t I,\t not\t subject\t to\t fall,\t assured\t of\t final enlightenment.\\\" The\tMirror\tof\tthe\tDhamma\t(Dhamm\u0101d\u0101sa) Then\t the\t Buddha\t explained\t the\t mirror\t of\t the\t Dhamma\t as follows: \\\"What,\tO\t\u00c1nanda,\tis\tthe\tmirror\tof\tthe\tDhamma? \\\"Herein\t a\t noble\t disciple\t reposes\t perfect\t confidence in\tthe\tBuddha\treflecting\ton\this\tvirtues\tthus: \\\"'Thus,\tindeed,\tis\tthe\tExalted\tOne,\ta\tWorthy\tOne,\ta Fully\t Enlightened\t One,\t Endowed\t with\t wisdom\t and conduct,\tan\tAccomplished\tOne,\tKnower\tof\tthe\tworlds, an\t Incomparable\t Charioteer\t for\t the\t training\t of individuals,\tthe\tTeacher\tof\tgods\tand\tmen,\tOmniscient, and\tHoly.'\t200 \\\"He\t reposes\t perfect\t confidence\t in\t the\t Dhamma reflecting\ton\tthe\tcharacteristics\tof\tthe\tDhamma\tthus: \\\"'Well\t expounded\t is\t the\t Dhamma\t by\t the\t Exalted 219","One,\tto\tbe\tself-realised,\timmediately\teffective,\tinviting investigation,\t leading\t onwards\t (to\t Nibb\u0101na),\t to\t be understood\tby\tthe\twise,\teach\tone\tfor\thimself.'\t201 \\\"He\t reposes\t perfect\t confidence\t in\t the\t Sangha reflecting\ton\tthe\tvirtues\tof\tthe\tSangha\tthus: \\\"'Of\tgood\tconduct\tis\tthe\torder\tof\tthe\tdisciples\tof\tthe Exalted\t One;\t of\t upright\t conduct\t is\t the\t order\t of\t the disciples\t of\t the\t Exalted\t One;\t of\t right\t conduct\t is\t the order\t of\t the\t disciples\t of\t the\t Exalted\t One;\t of\t proper conduct\tis\tthe\torder\tof\tthe\tdisciples\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne. These\tfour\tpairs\tof\tpersons\tconstitute\teight\tindividuals. This\torder\tof\tthe\tdisciples\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne\tis\tworthy of\t gifts,\t of\t hospitality,\t of\t offerings,\t of\t reverence,\t is\t an incomparable\tfield\tof\tmerit\tto\tthe\tworld.'\t202 \\\"He\t becomes\t endowed\t with\t virtuous\t conduct pleasing\t to\t the\t ariyas,\t unbroken,\t intact,\t unspotted, unblemished,\tfree,\tpraised\tby\tthe\twise,\tuntarnished\tby desires,\tconducive\tto\tconcentration.\\\" From\t Nadika\t the\t Buddha\t went\t to\t the\t flourishing\t city\t of Ves\u0101li\t and\t stayed\t at\t the\t grove\t of\t Ambap\u0101li,\t the\t beautiful courtesan. Anticipating\t her\t visit,\t the\t Buddha\t in\t order\t to\t safeguard his\tdisciples,\tadvised\tthem\tto\tbe\tmindful\tand\treflective\tand taught\tthem\tthe\tway\tof\tmindfulness. Ambap\u0101li Ambap\u0101li,\t hearing\t of\t the\t Buddha's\t arrival\t at\t her\t mango 220","grove,\t approached\t the\t Buddha\t and\t respectfully\t invited\t him and\t his\t disciples\t for\t a\t meal\t on\t the\t following\t day.\t The Buddha\t accepted\t her\t invitation\t in\t preference\t to\t the invitation\t of\t the\t Licchavi\t nobles\t which\t he\t received\t later. Although\tthe\tLicchavi\tnobles\toffered\ta\tlarge\tsum\tof\tmoney to\tobtain\tfrom\ther\tthe\topportunity\tof\tproviding\tthis\tmeal\tto the\t Buddha,\t she\t politely\t declined\t this\t offer.\t As\t invited,\t the Buddha\t had\t his\t meal\t at\t Ambap\u0101li's\t residence.\t After\t the meal\tAmbap\u0101li,\tthe\tcourtesan,\twho\twas\ta\tpotential\tarahant, very\t generously\t offered\t her\t spacious\t mango\t grove\t to\t the Buddha\tand\this\tdisciples.\t203 As\t it\t was\t the\t rainy\t season\t the\t Buddha\t advised\t his disciples\t to\t spend\t their\t retreat\t in\t or\t around\t Ves\u0101li,\t and\t he himself\tdecided\tto\tspend\tthe\tretreat,\twhich\twas\this\tlast\tand forty-fifth\tone,\tat\tBeluva,\ta\tvillage\tnear\tVes\u0101li. The\tBuddha's\tIllness In\t this\t year\t he\t had\t to\t suffer\t from\t a\t severe\t sickness,\t and \\\"sharp\tpains\tcame\tupon\thim\teven\tunto\tdeath.\\\"\tWith\this\tiron will,\t mindful\t and\t reflective,\t the\t Buddha\t bore\t them\t without any\tcomplaint. The\tBuddha\twas\tnow\tconscious\tthat\the\twould\tsoon\tpass away.\t But\t he\t thought\t that\t it\t would\t not\t be\t proper\t to\t pass away\t without\t addressing\t his\t attendant\t disciples\t and\t giving instructions\t to\t the\t order.\t So\t he\t decided\t to\t subdue\t his sickness\tby\this\twill\tand\tlive\tby\tconstantly\texperiencing\tthe bliss\tof\tarahantship. Immediately\t after\t recovery,\t the\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda approached\t the\t Buddha,\t and\t expressing\t his\t pleasure\t on\t his 221","recovery,\tremarked\tthat\the\ttook\tsome\tlittle\tcomfort\tfrom\tthe thought\t that\t the\t Buddha\t would\t not\t pass\t away\t without\t any instruction\tabout\tthe\torder. The\t Buddha\t made\t a\t memorable\t and\t significant\t reply which\t clearly\t reveals\t the\t unique\t attitude\t of\t the\t Buddha, Dhamma,\tand\tthe\tSangha. The\tBuddha's\tExhortation \\\"What,\tO\t\u00c1nanda,\tdoes\tthe\torder\tof\tdisciples\texpect\tof me?\t I\t have\t taught\t the\t Dhamma\t making\t no\t distinction between\t esoteric\t and\t exoteric\t doctrine.\t 204\t In\t respect of\t the\t truths\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t has\t no\t closed\t fist\t of\t a teacher.\t It\t may\t occur\t to\t anyone:\t 'It\t is\t I\t who\t will\t lead the\t order\t of\t bhikkhus,'\t or\t 'The\t order\t of\t bhikkhus\t is dependent\t upon\t me,'\t or\t 'It\t is\t he\t who\t should\t instruct any\tmatter\tconcerning\tthe\torder.' \\\"The\tTath\u0101gata,\t\u00c1nanda,\tthinks\tnot\tthat\tit\tis\the\twho should\t lead\t the\t order\t of\t bhikkhus,\t or\t that\t the\t order\t is dependent\t upon\t him.\t Why\t then\t should\t he\t leave instructions\tin\tany\tmatter\tconcerning\tthe\torder? \\\"I,\t too,\t \u00c1nanda,\t am\t now\t decrepit,\t aged,\t old, advanced\t in\t years,\t and\t have\t reached\t my\t end.\t I\t am\t in my\t eightieth\t year.\t Just\t as\t a\t worn-out\t cart\t is\t made\t to move\t with\t the\t aid\t of\t thongs,\t even\t so\t methinks\t the body\tof\tthe\tTath\u0101gata\tis\tmoved\twith\tthe\taid\tof\tthongs. 205\tWhenever,\t\u00c1nanda,\tthe\tTath\u0101gata\tlives\tplunged\tin signless\t mental\t one-pointedness,\t by\t the\t cessation\t of certain\tfeelings\tand\tunmindful\tof\tall\tobjects,\tthen\tonly 222","is\tthe\tbody\tof\tthe\tTath\u0101gata\tat\tease.\t206 \\\"Therefore,\t \u00c1nanda,\t be\t you\t islands\t 207\t unto yourselves.\t Be\t you\t a\t refuge\t to\t yourselves.\t Seek\t no external\trefuge.\tLive\twith\tthe\tDhamma\tas\tyour\tisland, the\t Dhamma\t as\t your\t refuge.\t Betake\t to\t no\t external refuge.\t208 \\\"How,\t\u00c1nanda,\tdoes\ta\tbhikkhu\tlive\tas\tan\tisland\tunto himself,\t as\t a\t refuge\t unto\t himself,\t seeking\t no\t external refuge,\t with\t the\t Dhamma\t as\t an\t island,\t with\t the Dhamma\tas\ta\trefuge,\tseeking\tno\texternal\trefuge? \\\"Herein,\t \u00c1nanda,\t a\t bhikkhu\t lives\t strenuous, reflective,\t watchful,\t abandoning\t covetousness\t in\t this world,\t constantly\t developing\t mindfulness\t with\t respect to\tbody,\tfeelings,\tconsciousness,\tand\tDhamma.\t209 \\\"Whosoever\t shall\t live\t either\t now\t or\t after\t my\t death as\t an\t island\t unto\t oneself,\t as\t a\t refuge\t unto\t oneself, seeking\t no\t external\t refuge,\t with\t the\t Dhamma\t as\t an island,\t with\t the\t Dhamma\t as\t a\t refuge,\t seeking\t no external\t refuge,\t those\t bhikkhus\t shall\t be\t foremost amongst\tthose\twho\tare\tintent\ton\tdiscipline.\\\" Here\tthe\tBuddha\tlays\tspecial\temphasis\ton\tthe\timportance\tof individual\tstriving\tfor\tpurification\tand\tdeliverance\tfrom\tthe ills\t of\t life.\t There\t is\t no\t efficacy\t in\t praying\t to\t others\t or\t in depending\t on\t others.\t One\t might\t question\t why\t Buddhists should\tseek\trefuge\tin\tthe\tBuddha,\tDhamma,\tand\tthe\tSangha when\tthe\tBuddha\thad\texplicitly\tadvised\this\tfollowers\tnot\tto seek\t refuge\t in\t others.\t In\t seeking\t refuge\t in\t the\t Triple\t Gem (Buddha,\t Dhamma,\t and\t Sangha)\t Buddhists\t only\t regard\t the Buddha\t as\t an\t instructor\t who\t merely\t shows\t the\t path\t of 223","deliverance,\t the\t Dhamma\t as\t the\t only\t way\t or\t means,\t the Sangha\tas\tthe\tliving\texamples\tof\tthe\tway\tof\tlife\tto\tbe\tlived. By\tmerely\tseeking\trefuge\tin\tthem\tBuddhists\tdo\tnot\tconsider that\tthey\twould\tgain\ttheir\tdeliverance. Though\t old\t and\t feeble\t the\t Buddha\t not\t only\t availed himself\t of\t every\t opportunity\t to\t instruct\t the\t bhikkhus\t in various\tways\tbut\talso\tregularly\twent\ton\this\trounds\tfor\talms with\t bowl\t in\t hand\t when\t there\t were\t no\t private\t invitations. One\t day\t as\t usual\t he\t went\t in\t quest\t of\t alms\t in\t Ves\u0101li\t and after\t his\t meal\t went\t with\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t to\t the\t Capala Cetiya,\t and,\t speaking\t of\t the\t delightfulness\t of\t Ves\u0101li\t and other\t shrines\t in\t the\t city,\t addressed\t the\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda thus: Whosoever\t has\t cultivated,\t developed,\t mastered,\t made\t a basis\t of,\t experienced,\t practised,\t thoroughly\t acquired\t the four\tmeans\tof\taccomplishment\t(iddhip\u0101da)\t210\tcould,\tif\the so\tdesires,\tlive\tfor\tan\taeon\t(kappa)\t211\tor\teven\ta\tlittle\tmore (kapp\u0101vasesa).\t The\t Tath\u0101gata,\t O\t \u00c1nanda,\t has\t cultivated, developed,\t mastered,\t made\t a\t basis\t of,\t experienced, practised,\t thoroughly\t acquired\t the\t four\t means\t of accomplishment.\t If\t he\t so\t desires,\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t could remain\tfor\tan\taeon\tor\teven\ta\tlittle\tmore. The\t text\t adds\t that\t \\\"even\t though\t a\t suggestion\t so\t evident and\t so\t clear\t was\t thus\t given\t by\t the\t Exalted\t One,\t the Venerable\t\u00c1nanda\twas\tincapable\tof\tcomprehending\tit\tso\tas to\t invite\t the\t Buddha\t to\t remain\t for\t an\t aeon\t for\t the\t good, benefit,\t and\t the\t happiness\t of\t the\t many,\t out\t of\t compassion for\t the\t world,\t for\t the\t good,\t benefit,\t and\t happiness\t of\t gods and\tmen\\\". 224","The\tsutta\tattributes\tthe\treason\tto\tthe\tfact\tthat\tthe\tmind\tof Venerable\t\u00c1nanda\twas,\tat\tthe\tmoment,\tdominated\tby\tM\u0101ra the\tevil\tone. The\tBuddha\tAnnounces\this\tDeath The\t Buddha\t appeared\t on\t earth\t to\t teach\t the\t seekers\t of\t truth things\tas\tthey\ttruly\tare\tand\ta\tunique\tpath\tfor\tthe\tdeliverance from\tall\tills\tof\tlife.\tDuring\this\tlong\tand\tsuccessful\tministry he\t fulfilled\t his\t noble\t mission\t to\t the\t satisfaction\t of\t both himself\t and\t his\t followers.\t In\t his\t eightieth\t year\t he\t felt\t that his\t work\t was\t over.\t He\t had\t given\t all\t necessary\t instructions to\t his\t earnest\t followers\u2014both\t the\t householders\t and\t the homeless\t ones\u2014and\t they\t were\t not\t only\t firmly\t established in\t his\t teachings\t but\t were\t also\t capable\t of\t expounding\t them to\tothers.\tHe\ttherefore\tdecided\tnot\tto\tcontrol\tthe\tremainder of\t his\t life\t span\t by\t his\t will-power\t and\t by\t experiencing\t the bliss\tof\tarahantship.\tWhile\tresiding\tat\tthe\tCapala\tCetiya\tthe Buddha\tannounced\tto\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\tthat\the\twould\tpass away\tin\tthree\tmonths'\ttime. Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t instantly\t recalled\t the\t saying\t of\t the Buddha\tand\tbegged\tof\thim\tto\tlive\tfor\ta\tkappa\tfor\tthe\tgood and\thappiness\tof\tall. \\\"Enough\t\u00c1nanda,\tbeseech\tnot\tthe\tTath\u0101gata.\tThe\ttime\tfor making\tsuch\ta\trequest\tis\tnow\tpast,\\\"\twas\tthe\tBuddha's\treply. He\tthen\tspoke\ton\tthe\tfleeting\tnature\tof\tlife\tand\twent\twith Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t to\t the\t Pinnacled\t Hall\t at\t Mah\u0101vana\t and requested\t him\t to\t assemble\t all\t the\t bhikkhus\t in\t the neighbourhood\tof\tVes\u0101li. 225","To\tthe\tassembled\tbhikkhus\tthe\tBuddha\tspoke\tas\tfollows: \\\"Whatever\t truths\t have\t been\t expounded\t to\t you\t by\t me, study\t them\t well,\t practise,\t cultivate\t and\t develop\t them so\t that\t this\t holy\t life\t may\t last\t long\t and\t be\t perpetuated out\t of\t compassion\t for\t the\t world,\t for\t the\t good\t and happiness\t of\t the\t many,\t for\t the\t good\t and\t happiness\t of gods\tand\tmen.\\\" \\\"What\tare\tthose\ttruths?\tThey\tare: the\tfour\tfoundations\tof\tmindfulness, the\tfour\tkinds\tof\tright\tendeavour, the\tfour\tmeans\tof\taccomplishment, the\tfive\tfaculties, the\tfive\tpowers, the\tseven\tfactors\tof\tenlightenment,\tand the\tNoble\tEightfold\tPath.\\\"\t212 He\t then\t gave\t the\t following\t final\t exhortation\t and\t publicly announced\tthe\ttime\tof\this\tdeath\tto\tthe\tSangha. The\tBuddha's\tLast\tWords \\\"Behold,\t O\t bhikkhus,\t now\t I\t speak\t to\t you.\t Transient are\tall\tconditioned\tthings.\tStrive\ton\twith\tdiligence.\t213 The\t passing\t away\t of\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t will\t take\t place before\t long.\t At\t the\t end\t of\t three\t months\t from\t now\t the Tath\u0101gata\twill\tpass\taway. Ripe\tis\tmy\tage.\tShort\tis\tmy\tlife.\tLeaving\tyou\tI\tshall depart.\tI\thave\tmade\tmyself\tmy\trefuge.\tO\tbhikkhus,\tbe 226","diligent,\t mindful\t and\t virtuous.\t With\t well-directed thoughts\t guard\t your\t mind.\t He\t who\t lives\t heedfully\t in this\tdispensation\t will\t escape\t life's\t wandering\t and\t put an\tend\tto\tsuffering.\t214 Casting\t his\t last\t glance\t at\t Ves\u0101li,\t the\t Buddha\t went\t with Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t to\t Bhandag\u0101ma\t and\t addressing\t the bhikkhus\tsaid: Morality,\t concentration,\t wisdom,\t and\t deliverance supreme. These\tthings\twere\trealised\tby\tthe\trenowned\tGotama. Comprehending\t them,\t the\t Buddha\t taught\t the\t doctrine to\tthe disciples. The\tTeacher\twith\tsight\thas\tput\tan\tend\tto\tsorrow and\thas\textinguished\tall\tpassions. The\tFour\tGreat\tReferences Passing\tthence\tfrom\tvillage\tto\tvillage,\tthe\tBuddha\tarrived\tat Bhoganagara\t and\t there\t taught\t the\t four\t great\t citations\t or references\t(mah\u0101padesa)\tby\tmeans\tof\twhich\tthe\tword\tof\tthe Buddha\t could\t be\t tested\t and\t clarified\t in\t the\t following discourse: (1)\t \\\"A\t bhikkhu\t may\t say\t thus:\t 'From\t the\t mouth\t of\t the Buddha\t himself\t have\t I\t heard,\t have\t I\t received\t thus: \\\"This\t is\t the\t doctrine,\t this\t is\t the\t discipline,\t this\t is\t the teaching\t of\t the\t Master.'\t His\t words\t should\t neither\t be accepted\t nor\t rejected.\t Without\t either\t accepting\t or 227","rejecting\tsuch\twords,\tstudy\tthoroughly\tevery\tword\tand syllable\tand\tthen\tput\tthem\tbeside\tthe\tdiscourses\t(sutta) and\tcompare\tthem\twith\tthe\tdisciplinary\trules\t(vinaya). If,\t when\t so\t compared,\t they\t do\t not\t harmonise\t with\t the discourses\tand\tdo\tnot\tagree\twith\tthe\tdisciplinary\trules, then\tyou\tmay\tcome\tto\tthe\tconclusion.\t'Certainly\tthis\tis not\tthe\tword\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne,\tthis\thas\tbeen\twrongly grasped\tby\tthe\tbhikkhu.' \\\"Therefore\tyou\tshould\treject\tit. \\\"If,\t when\t compared\t and\t contrasted,\t they\t harmonise with\t the\t discourses\t and\t agree\t with\t the\t disciplinary rules,\t you\t may\t come\t to\t the\t conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this is\tthe\tword\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne,\tthis\thas\tcorrectly\tbeen grasped\tby\tthe\tbhikkhu.' \\\"Let\tthis\tbe\tregarded\tas\tthe\tfirst\tgreat\treference. (2)\t \\\"Again,\t a\t bhikkhu\t may\t say\t thus:\t 'In\t such\t a monastery\t lives\t the\t Sangha\t together\t with\t leading theras.\t From\t the\t mouth\t of\t that\t Sangha\t have\t I\t heard, have\t I\t received\t thus:\t \\\"This\t is\t the\t doctrine,\t this\t is\t the discipline,\t this\t is\t the\t Master's\t teaching.\\\"'\t His\t words should\tneither\tbe\taccepted\tnor\trejected.\tWithout\teither accepting\t or\t rejecting\t such\t words,\t study\t thoroughly every\t word\t and\t syllable\t and\t then\t put\t them\t beside\t the discourses\t and\t compare\t them\t with\t the\t disciplinary rules.\t If,\t when\t so\t compared,\t they\t do\t not\t harmonise with\t the\t discourses\t and\t do\t not\t agree\t with\t the disciplinary\t rules,\t then\t you\t may\t come\t to\t the conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this\t is\t not\t the\t word\t of\t the Exalted\t One,\t this\t has\t been\t wrongly\t grasped\t by\t the 228","bhikkhu.' \\\"Therefore\tyou\tshould\treject\tit. \\\"If,\t when\t compared\t and\t contrasted,\t they\t harmonise with\t the\t discourses\t and\t agree\t with\t the\t disciplinary rules,\t you\t may\t come\t to\t the\t conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this is\tthe\tword\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne,\tthis\thas\tcorrectly\tbeen grasped\tby\tthe\tbhikkhu.' \\\"Let\tthis\tbe\tregarded\tas\tthe\tsecond\tgreat\treference. (3)\t \\\"Again,\t a\t bhikkhu\t may\t say\t thus:\t 'In\t such\t a monastery\t dwell\t many\t theras\t and\t bhikkhus\t of\t great learning,\t versed\t in\t the\t teachings,\t proficient\t in\t the Doctrine,\t Vinaya\t (discipline),\t and\t matrices\t (m\u0101tik\u0101). From\t the\t mouth\t of\t those\t theras\t have\t I\t heard,\t have\t I received\tthus:\t\\\"This\tis\tthe\tDhamma,\tthis\tis\tthe\tVinaya, this\t is\t the\t teaching\t of\t the\t Master.\\\"'\t His\t words\t should neither\t be\t accepted\t nor\t rejected.\t Without\t either accepting\t or\t rejecting\t such\t words,\t study\t thoroughly every\t word\t and\t syllable\t and\t then\t put\t them\t beside\t the discourses\t and\t compare\t them\t with\t the\t disciplinary rules.\t If,\t when\t so\t compared,\t they\t do\t not\t harmonise with\t the\t discourses\t and\t do\t not\t agree\t with\t the disciplinary\t rules,\t then\t you\t may\t come\t to\t the conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this\t is\t not\t the\t word\t of\t the Exalted\t One,\t this\t has\t been\t wrongly\t grasped\t by\t the bhikkhu.' \\\"Therefore\tyou\tshould\treject\tit. \\\"If,\t when\t compared\t and\t contrasted,\t they\t harmonise with\t the\t Suttas\t and\t agree\t with\t the\t Vinaya,\t then\t you may\tcome\tto\tthe\tconclusion:\t'Certainly\tthis\tis\tthe\tword 229","of\t the\t Exalted\t One,\t this\t has\t been\t correctly\t grasped\t by the\tbhikkhu.' \\\"Let\tthis\tbe\tregarded\tas\tthe\tthird\tgreat\treference. (4)\t \\\"Again,\t a\t bhikkhu\t may\t say\t thus:\t 'In\t such\t a monastery\t lives\t an\t elderly\t bhikkhu\t of\t great\t learning, versed\t in\t the\t teachings,\t proficient\t in\t the\t Dhamma, Vinaya,\t and\t Matrices.\t From\t the\t mouth\t of\t that\t thera have\t I\t heard,\t have\t I\t received\t thus:\t \\\"This\t is\t the Dhamma,\t this\t is\t the\t Vinaya,\t this\t is\t the\t Master's teaching.\\\"'\t His\t words\t should\t neither\t be\t accepted\t nor rejected.\t Without\t either\t accepting\t or\t rejecting\t such words,\t study\t thoroughly\t every\t word\t and\t syllable\t and then\tput\tthem\tbeside\tthe\tdiscourses\tand\tcompare\tthem with\tthe\tdisciplinary\trules.\tIf,\twhen\tso\tcompared,\tthey do\tnot\tharmonise\twith\tthe\tdiscourses\tand\tdo\tnot\tagree with\t the\t disciplinary\t rules,\t then\t you\t may\t come\t to\t the conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this\t is\t not\t the\t word\t of\t the Exalted\t One,\t this\t has\t been\t wrongly\t grasped\t by\t the bhikkhu.' \\\"Therefore\tyou\tshould\treject\tit. \\\"If,\t when\t compared\t and\t contrasted,\t they\t harmonise with\t the\t suttas\t and\t agree\t with\t the\t Vinaya,\t then\t you may\t come\t to\t the\t conclusion:\t 'Certainly\t this\t is\t the Dhamma,\t this\t is\t the\t Vinaya,\t this\t is\t the\t Master's teachings.' \\\"Let\tthis\tbe\tregarded\tas\tthe\tfourth\tgreat\treference. \\\"These,\tbhikkhus,\tare\tthe\tfour\tgreat\treferences.\\\" 230","The\tBuddha's\tLast\tMeal Enlightening\tthe\tdisciples\twith\tsuch\tedifying\tdiscourses,\tthe Buddha\t proceeded\t to\t P\u0101va\t where\t the\t Buddha\t and\t his disciples\t were\t entertained\t by\t Cunda\t the\t smith.\t With\t great fervour\t Cunda\t prepared\t a\t special\t delicious\t dish\t called 's\u016bkaramaddava'.\t 215\t As\t advised\t by\t the\t Buddha,\t Cunda served\tonly\tthe\tBuddha\twith\tthe\ts\u016bkaramaddava\tand\tburied the\tremainder\tin\tthe\tground. After\t the\t meal\t the\t Buddha\t suffered\t from\t an\t attack\t of dysentery\t and\t sharp\t pains\t came\t upon\t him.\t Calmly\t he\t bore them\twithout\tany\tcomplaint. Though\t extremely\t weak\t and\t severely\t ill,\t the\t Buddha decided\t to\t walk\t to\t Kusin\u0101r\u0101\t 216\t his\t last\t resting\t place,\t a distance\tof\tabout\tthree\tg\u0101vutas\t217\tfrom\tP\u0101va.\tIn\tthe\tcourse of\t this\t last\t journey\t it\t is\t stated\t that\t the\t Buddha\t had\t to\t sit down\t in\t about\t twenty-five\t places\t owing\t to\t his\t weakness and\tillness. On\t the\t way\t he\t sat\t at\t the\t foot\t of\t a\t tree\t and\t asked Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t to\t fetch\t some\t water\t as\t he\t was\t feeling thirsty.\tWith\tdifficulty\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\tsecured\tsome\tpure water\t from\t a\t streamlet\t which,\t a\t few\t moments\t earlier,\t was flowing\t fouled\t and\t turbid,\t stirred\t up\t by\t the\t wheels\t of\t five hundred\tcarts. At\t that\t time\t a\t man\t named\t Pukkusa\t approached\t the Buddha,\tand\texpressed\this\tadmiration\tat\tthe\tserenity\tof\tthe Buddha,\t and,\t hearing\t a\t sermon\t about\t his\t imperturbability, offered\thim\ta\tpair\tof\trobes\tof\tgold. As\tdirected\tby\tthe\tBuddha,\the\trobed\tthe\tBuddha\twith\tone 231","and\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\twith\tthe\tother. When\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t placed\t the\t pair\t of\t robes\t on\t the Buddha,\t to\t his\t astonishment,\t he\t found\t the\t skin\t of\t the Buddha\texceeding\tbright,\tand\tsaid,\t\\\"How\twonderful\ta\tthing is\tit,\tLord\tand\thow\tmarvellous,\tthat\tthe\tcolour\tof\tthe\tskin\tof the\tExalted\tOne\tshould\tbe\tso\tclear,\tso\texceeding\tbright.\tFor when\tI\tplaced\teven\tthis\tpair\tof\trobes\tof\tburnished\tgold\tand ready\tfor\twear\ton\tthe\tbody\tof\tthe\tExalted\tOne,\tit\tseemed\tas if\tit\thad\tlost\tits\tsplendour.\\\" Thereupon\t the\t Buddha\t explained\t that\t on\t two\t occasions the\t colour\t of\t the\t skin\t of\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t becomes\t clear\t and exceeding\t bright\u2014namely\t on\t the\t night\t on\t which\t the Tath\u0101gata\tattains\tbuddhahood\tand\ton\tthe\tnight\tthe\tTath\u0101gata passes\taway. He\tthen\tpronounced\tthat\tat\tthe\tthird\twatch\tof\tthe\tnight\ton that\tday\the\twould\tpass\taway\tin\tthe\tS\u0101la\tGrove\tof\tthe\tMallas between\tthe\ttwin\tS\u0101la\ttrees,\tin\tthe\tvicinity\tof\tKusin\u0101r\u0101. Cunda's\tMeritorious\tMeal He\t took\t his\t last\t bath\t in\t the\t river\t Kukuttha\t and\t resting\t a while\tspoke\tthus\u2014\\\"Now\tit\tmay\thappen,\t\u00c1nanda,\tthat\tsome one\tshould\tstir\tup\tremorse\tin\tCunda\tthe\tsmith,\tsaying:\t'This is\t evil\t to\t thee,\t Cunda,\t and\t loss\t to\t thee\t in\t that\t when\t the Tath\u0101gata\thad\teaten\this\tlast\tmeal\tfrom\tyour\tprovisions,\tthen he\t died.'\t Any\t such\t remorse\t in\t Cunda\t the\t smith\t should\t be checked\tby\tsaying:\t'This\tis\tgood\tto\tthee,\tCunda,\tand\tgain\tto thee,\tin\tthat\twhen\tthe\tTath\u0101gata\thad\teaten\this\tlast\tmeal\tfrom your\t provision,\t then\t he\t died.'\t From\t the\t very\t mouth\t of\t the Exalted\t One,\t Cunda,\t have\t I\t heard,\t from\t his\t very\t mouth 232","have\tI\treceived\tthis\tsaying:\t\\\"These\ttwo\tofferings\tof\tfood\tare of\tequal\tfruit,\tand\tof\tequal\tprofit,\tand\tof\tmuch\tgreater\tfruit and\tof\tmuch\tgreater\tprofit\tthan\tany\tother,\tand\twhich\tare\tthe two? \\\"The\t offering\t of\t food\t which\t when\t a\t Tath\u0101gata\t has\t eaten he\tattains\tto\tsupreme\tand\tperfect\tinsight,\tand\tthe\toffering\tof food\t which\t when\t a\t Tath\u0101gata\t has\t eaten\t he\t passes\t away\t by that\t utter\t cessation\t in\t which\t nothing\t whatever\t remains behind\u2014these\ttwo\tofferings\tof\tfood\tare\tof\tequal\tfruit\tand\tof equal\tprofit,\tand\tof\tmuch\tgreater\tfruit,\tand\tof\tmuch\tgreater profit\tthan\tany\tother. \\\"There\t has\t been\t laid\t up\t by\t Cunda\t the\t smith\t a\t kamma redounding\t to\t length\t of\t life,\t redounding\t to\t good\t birth, redounding\t to\t good\t fortune,\t redounding\t to\t good\t fame, redounding\t to\t the\t inheritance\t of\t heaven\t and\t of\t sovereign power. \\\"In\t this\t way,\t \u00c1nanda,\t should\t be\t checked\t any\t remorse\t in Cunda\tthe\tsmith.\\\" Uttering\tthese\twords\tof\tconsolation\tout\tof\tcompassion\tto the\t generous\t donor\t of\t his\t last\t meal,\t he\t went\t to\t the\t S\u0101la Grove\tof\tthe\tMallas\tand\tasked\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\tto\tprepare a\t couch\t with\t the\t head\t to\t the\t north\t between\t the\t twin\t S\u0101la trees.\t The\t Buddha\t laid\t himself\t down\t on\t his\t right\t side\t with one\tleg\tresting\ton\tthe\tother,\tmindful\tand\tself-possessed. How\tthe\tBuddha\tis\tHonoured Seeing\t the\t S\u0101la\t trees\t blooming\t with\t flowers\t out\t of\t season, and\t other\t outward\t demonstrations\t of\t piety,\t the\t Buddha 233","exhorted\this\tdisciples\tthus: It\t is\t not\t thus,\t \u00c1nanda,\t that\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t is\t respected, reverenced,\t venerated,\t honoured,\t and\t revered. Whatever\t bhikkhu\t or\t bhikkhu\u1e47\u012b,\t up\u0101saka\t or\t up\u0101sika lives\tin\taccordance\twith\tthe\tteaching,\tconducts\thimself dutifully,\t and\t acts\t righteously,\t it\t is\t he\t who\t respects, reverences,\t venerates,\t honours,\t and\t reveres\t the Tath\u0101gata\twith\tthe\thighest\thomage.\tTherefore,\t\u00c1nanda, should\t you\t train\t yourselves\t thus:\t 'Let\t us\t live\t in accordance\t with\t the\t teaching,\t dutifully\t conducting ourselves,\tand\tacting\trighteously.' At\t this\t moment\t the\t Venerable\t Upav\u0101na,\t who\t was\t once attendant\t of\t the\t Buddha,\t was\t standing\t in\t front\t of\t the Buddha\tfanning\thim.\tThe\tBuddha\tasked\thim\tto\tstand\taside. Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t wished\t to\t know\t why\t he\t was\t asked\t to stand\taside\tas\the\twas\tvery\tserviceable\tto\tthe\tBuddha. The\t Buddha\t replied\t that\t devas\t had\t assembled\t in\t large numbers\t to\t see\t the\t Tath\u0101gata\t and\t they\t were\t displeased because\the\twas\tstanding\tin\ttheir\tway\tconcealing\thim. The\tFour\tSacred\tPlaces The\t Buddha\t then\t spoke\t of\t four\t places,\t made\t sacred\t by\t his association,\t which\t faithful\t followers\t should\t visit\t with reverence\tand\tawe.\tThey\tare: 1.\t The\tbirthplace\tof\tthe\tBuddha,\t218 2.\t The\t place\t where\t the\t Buddha\t attained 234","enlightenment,\t219 3.\t The\t place\t where\t the\t Buddha\t established\t the incomparable\twheel\tof\ttruth\t220\t(dhammacakka),\tand 4.\t The\tplace\twhere\tthe\tBuddha\tattained\tparinibb\u0101na.\t221 \\\"And\t they,\\\"\t added\t the\t Buddha,\t \\\"who\t shall\t die\t with\t a believing\t heart,\t in\t the\t course\t of\t their\t pilgrimage,\t will\t be reborn,\t on\t the\t dissolution\t of\t their\t body,\t after\t death,\t in\t a heavenly\tstate.\\\" Conversion\tof\tSubhadda At\t that\t time\t a\t wandering\t ascetic,\t named\t Subhadda, 222\twas\tliving\tat\tKusin\u0101r\u0101.\tHe\theard\tthe\tnews\tthat\tthe Ascetic\t Gotama\t would\t attain\t parinibb\u0101na\t in\t the\t last watch\t of\t the\t night.\t And\t he\t thought,\t \\\"I\t have\t heard grown-up\t and\t elderly\t teachers,\t and\t their\t teachers,\t the wandering\t ascetics,\t say\t that\t seldom\t and\t very\t seldom, indeed,\t do\t exalted,\t fully\t enlightened\t arahants\t arise\t in this\t world.\t Tonight\t in\t the\t last\t watch\t the\t Ascetic Gotama\t will\t attain\t parinibb\u0101na.\t A\t doubt\t has\t arisen\t in me,\t and\t I\t have\t confidence\t in\t the\t Ascetic\t Gotama. Capable,\t indeed,\t is\t the\t Ascetic\t Gotama\t to\t teach\t the doctrine\tso\tthat\tI\tmay\tdispel\tmy\tdoubt. Thereupon\tSubhadda,\tthe\twandering\tascetic,\twent\tto Upavattana\t S\u0101la\t grove\t of\t the\t Mallas\t where\t the Venerable\t\u00c1nanda\twas,\tand\tapproaching\thim\tspoke\tas follows:\t \\\"I\t have\t heard\t grown-up\t and\t elderly\t teachers and\t their\t teachers,\t the\t wandering\t ascetics,\t say\t that 235","seldom,\t and\t very\t seldom,\t indeed,\t do\t exalted,\t fully enlightened\tarahants\tarise\tin\tthis\tworld.\tTonight\tin\tthe last\t watch\t the\t Ascetic\t Gotama\t will\t attain\t parinibb\u0101na. A\tdoubt\thas\tarisen\tin\tme,\tand\tI\thave\tconfidence\tin\tthe Ascetic\t Gotama.\t Capable,\t indeed,\t is\t the\t Ascetic Gotama\t to\t teach\t the\t doctrine\t so\t that\t I\t may\t dispel\t my doubts.\t Shall\t I,\t O\t \u00c1nanda,\t obtain\t a\t glimpse\t of\t the Ascetic\tGotama?\\\" \\\"Enough,\t friend\t Subhadda,\t do\t not\t worry\t the Accomplished\tOne.\tThe\tExalted\tOne\tis\twearied,\\\"\tsaid the\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda. For\tthe\tsecond\tand\tthird\ttime\tSubhadda\trepeated\this request,\t and\t for\t the\t second\t and\t third\t time\t Venerable \u00c1nanda\treplied\tin\tthe\tsame\tmanner. The\t Buddha\t heard\t the\t conversation\t between\t the Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t and\t Subhadda,\t and\t addressing \u00c1nanda,\tsaid: \\\"Nay,\t \u00c1nanda,\t do\t not\t prevent\t Subhadda.\t Let Subhadda,\t O\t \u00c1nanda,\t behold\t the\t Accomplished\t One. Whatsoever\t Subhadda\t will\t ask\t of\t me,\t all\t that\t will\t be with\t the\t desire\t for\t knowledge,\t and\t not\t to\t annoy\t me. And\t whatever\t I\t shall\t say\t in\t answer\t he\t will\t readily understand.\\\" Thereupon\t the\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t introduced Subhadda\tto\tthe\tBuddha. Subhadda\t exchanged\t friendly\t greetings\t with\t the Buddha\tand\tsitting\taside\tsaid:\t\\\"There\tare\tthese\tascetics and\t priests,\t O\t Gotama,\t who\t are\t leaders\t of\t companies and\t congregations,\t who\t are\t heads\t of\t sects\t and\t are 236","well-known,\t renowned\t religious\t teachers,\t esteemed\t as good\t men\t by\t the\t multitude,\t as,\t for\t instance,\t P\u016bra\u1e47a Kassapa,\t Makkhali\t Gos\u0101la,\t Ajita\t Kesakambali, Pakudha\t Kacc\u0101yana,\t Sa\u00f1jaya\t Belatthiputta,\t Niga\u1e47ha N\u0101taputta,\t223\thave\tthey\tall,\tas\tthey\tthemselves\tclaim, thoroughly\tunderstood\tthe\ttruth\tor\tnot,\tor\thave\tsome\tof them\tunderstood\tand\tsome\tnot?\\\" \\\"Let\t it\t be,\t O\t Subhadda!\t Trouble\t not\t yourself\t as\t to whether\tall\tor\tsome\thave\trealised\tit\tor\tnot.\tI\tshall\tteach the\t doctrine\t to\t you.\t Listen\t and\t bear\t it\t well\t in\t mind.\t I shall\tspeak.\\\" \\\"So\tbe\tit,\tLord!\\\"\treplied\tSubhadda. The\tBuddha\tspoke\tas\tfollows: \\\"In\twhatever\tdispensation\tthere\texists\tnot\tthe\tNoble Eightfold\tPath,\tneither\tis\tthe\tfirst\tsama\u1e47a\t(recluse),\tnor the\t second,\t nor\t the\t third,\t nor\t the\t fourth\t to\t be\t found therein.\t In\t whatever\t dispensation,\t O\t Subhadda,\t there exists\t the\t Noble\t Eightfold\t Path,\t there\t also\t are\t to\t be found\t the\t first\t sama\u1e47a,\t the\t second\t sama\u1e47a,\t the\t third sama\u1e47a,\tthe\tfourth\tsama\u1e47a.\t224\tIn\tthis\tdispensation,\tO Subhadda,\tthere\texists\tthe\tNoble\tEightfold\tPath. \\\"Here,\tindeed,\tare\tfound\tthe\tfirst\tsama\u1e47a,\tthe\tsecond sama\u1e47a,\t the\t third\t sama\u1e47a,\t and\t the\t fourth\t sama\u1e47a\t The other\t foreign\t schools\t are\t empty\t of\t sama\u1e47as.\t If,\t O Subhadda,\t the\t disciples\t live\t rightly,\t the\t world\t would not\tbe\tvoid\tof\tarahants.\t225 \\\"My\t age\t was\t twenty-nine\t when\t I\t went\t forth\t as\t a seeker\tafter\twhat\tis\tgood.\tNow\tone\tand\tfifty\tyears\tare gone\tsince\tI\twent\tforth.\tOutside\tthis\tfold\tthere\tis\tnot\ta 237","single\t ascetic\t who\t acts\t even\t partly\t in\t accordance\t with this\trealisable\tdoctrine.\\\" Thereupon\t Subhadda\t spoke\t to\t the\t Buddha\t as follows: \\\"Excellent,\tLord,\texcellent!\tIt\tis\tas\tif,\tO\tLord,\ta\tman were\tto\tset\tupright\tthat\twhich\twas\toverturned,\tor\twere to\t reveal\t that\t which\t was\t hidden,\t or\t were\t to\t point\t the way\tto\tone\twho\thas\tgone\tastray,\tor\twere\tto\thold\ta\tlamp amidst\tthe\tdarkness,\tso\tthat\twhoever\thas\teyes\tmay\tsee, even\t so\t has\t the\t doctrine\t been\t expounded\t in\t various ways\tby\tthe\tExalted\tOne. \\\"And\t I,\t Lord,\t seek\t refuge\t in\t the\t Buddha,\t the Doctrine,\t and\t the\t Order.\t May\t I\t receive\t the\t lesser\t and the\t higher\t ordination\t in\t the\t presence\t of\t the\t Exalted One!\\\" \\\"Whoever,\t Subhadda,\\\"\t said\t the\t Buddha,\t \\\"being already\t committed\t to\t the\t other\t doctrines\t desires\t the lesser\t 226\t and\t the\t higher\t ordination,\t 227\t remains\t on probation\t for\t four\t months.\t 228\t At\t the\t end\t of\t four months,\t the\t disciples\t approving,\t he\t is\t ordained\t and raised\t to\t the\t status\t of\t a\t bhikkhu.\t Nevertheless,\t on understanding,\tI\tmake\tindividual\texception.\\\" Then\tsaid\tSubhadda: \\\"If,\t Lord,\t those\t already\t committed\t to\t other doctrines,\t who\t desire\t the\t lesser\t and\t the\t higher ordination\tin\tthis\tdispensation,\tremain\ton\tprobation\tfor four\t months,\t I\t too\t will\t remain\t on\t probation;\t and\t after the\tlapse\tof\tthat\tperiod,\tthe\tdisciples\tapproving,\tlet\tme be\t received\t into\t the\t order\t and\t raised\t to\t the\t status\t of\t a 238","bhikkhu.\\\" Thereupon\tthe\tBuddha\taddressed\t\u00c1nanda\tand\tsaid: \\\"Then,\t\u00c1nanda,\tyou\tmay\tordain\tSubhadda.\\\" \\\"So,\tbe\tit,\tLord!\\\"\treplied\t\u00c1nanda. And\t Subhadda,\t the\t wandering\t ascetic,\t spoke\t to\t the Venerable\t\u00c1nanda\tas\tfollows: \\\"It\tis\ta\tgain\tto\tyou,\tO\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda!\tIt\tis\tindeed a\tgreat\tgain\tto\tyou,\tfor\tyou\thave\tbeen\tanointed\tby\tthe anointment\t of\t discipleship\t in\t the\t presence\t of\t the Exalted\tOne\tby\thimself.\\\" Subhadda\treceived\tin\tthe\tpresence\tof\tthe\tBuddha\tthe lesser\tand\tthe\thigher\tordination. And\t in\t no\t long\t time\t after\t his\t higher\t ordination,\t the Venerable\t Subhadda,\t living\t alone,\t remote\t from\t men, strenuous,\t energetic,\t and\t resolute,\t realised,\t in\t this\t life itself,\t by\t his\t own\t intuitive\t knowledge,\t the consummation\t of\t that\t incomparable\t life\t of\t holiness, and\t lived\t abiding\t in\t that\t state\t for\t the\t sake\t of\t which sons\t of\t noble\t families\t rightly\t leave\t the\t householder's life\tfor\tthe\thomeless\tlife.\tHe\tperceived\tthat\trebirth\twas ended,\tcompleted\twas\tthe\tholy\tlife\twhich\tafter\tthis\tlife there\twas\tnone\tother. And\t the\t Venerable\t Subhadda\t became\t one\t of\t the arahants. He\twas\tthe\tlast\tpersonal\tconvert\tof\tthe\tBuddha. 239","The\tLast\tWords\tto\t\u00c1nanda The\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\tdesired\tto\tknow\twhat\tthey\tshould\tdo with\tthe\tbody\tof\tthe\tTath\u0101gata. The\t Buddha\t answered,\t \\\"Do\t not\t engage\t yourselves\t in honouring\tthe\tremains\tof\tthe\tTath\u0101gata.\tBe\tconcerned\tabout your\t own\t welfare\t (i.e.,\t arahantship).\t Devote\t yourselves\t to your\t own\t welfare.\t Be\t heedful,\t be\t strenuous,\t and\t be\t intent on\tyour\town\tgood.\tThere\tare\twise\twarriors,\twise\tbrahmins, wise\t householders\t who\t are\t firm\t believers\t in\t the\t Tath\u0101gata. They\twill\tdo\thonour\tto\tthe\tremains\tof\tthe\tTath\u0101gata.\\\" At\t the\t conclusion\t of\t these\t interesting\t religious\t talks Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t went\t aside\t and\t stood\t weeping\t at\t the thought:\t\\\"Alas!\tI\tam\tstill\ta\tlearner\twith\twork\tyet\tto\tdo.\tBut my\t Master\t will\t finally\t pass\t away\u2014he\t who\t is\t my sympathiser.\\\" The\tBuddha,\tnoticing\this\tabsence,\tsummoned\thim\tto\this presence\t and\t exhorted\t him\t thus\u2014\\\"Enough,\t O\t \u00c1nanda.\t Do not\tgrieve,\tdo\tnot\tweep.\tHave\tI\tnot\talready\ttold\tyou\tthat\twe have\t to\t separate\t and\t divide\t and\t sever\t ourselves\t from everything\tthat\tis\tdear\tand\tpleasant\tto\tus? \\\"O\t \u00c1nanda,\t you\t have\t done\t much\t merit.\t Soon\t be\t freed from\tdefilements.\\\" The\t Buddha\t then\t paid\t a\t tribute\t to\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda, commenting\ton\this\tsalient\tvirtues. After\t admonishing\t Venerable\t \u00c1nanda\t in\t various\t ways, the\t Buddha\t ordered\t him\t to\t enter\t Kusin\u0101r\u0101\t and\t inform\t the Mallas\t of\t the\t impending\t death\t of\t the\t Tath\u0101gata.\t Mallas 240","were\t duly\t informed,\t and\t came\t weeping\t with\t their\t wives, young\t men,\t and\t maidens,\t to\t pay\t their\t last\t respects\t to\t the Tath\u0101gata. The\tLast\tScene Then\tthe\tBlessed\tOne\taddressed\t\u00c1nanda\tand\tsaid: \\\"It\tmay\tbe,\t\u00c1nanda,\tthat\tyou\twill\tsay\tthus:\t'Without the\t Teacher\t is\t the\t sublime\t teaching!\t There\t is\t no Teacher\t for\t us.'\t Nay,\t \u00c1nanda,\t you\t should\t not\t think thus.\t Whatever\t Doctrine\t and\t Discipline\t have\t been taught\t and\t promulgated\t by\t me,\t \u00c1nanda,\t they\t will\t be your\tteacher\twhen\tI\tam\tgone.\t229 \\\"Let\t the\t Sangha,\t O\t \u00c1nanda,\t if\t willing,\t abrogate\t the lesser\t and\t minor\t rules\t after\t my\t death,\\\"\t 230\t remarked the\tBuddha. Instead\t of\t using\t the\t imperative\t form\t the\t Buddha\t has\t used the\tsubjunctive\tin\tthis\tconnection.\tHad\tit\tbeen\this\twish\tthat the\tlesser\trules\tshould\tbe\tabolished,\the\tcould\thave\tused\tthe imperative.\t The\t Buddha\t foresaw\t that\t Venerable\t Kassapa, presiding\t over\t the\t first\t council,\t would,\t with\t the\t consent\t of the\t Sangha,\t not\t abrogate\t any\t rule\t hence\t his\t use\t of\t the subjunctive,\tstates\tthe\tcommentator. As\t the\t Buddha\t has\t not\t clearly\t stated\t what\t these\t minor rules\t were\t and\t as\t the\t arahants\t could\t not\t come\t to\t any decision\tabout\tthem,\tthey\tpreferred\tnot\tto\talter\tany\trule\tbut to\tretain\tall\tintact. Again\tthe\tBuddha\taddressed\tthe\tdisciples\tand\tsaid:\t\\\"If,\tO 241","disciples,\t there\t be\t any\t doubt\t as\t to\t the\t Buddha,\t or\t the doctrine,\t or\t the\t order,\t or\t the\t path,\t or\t the\t method,\t question me,\t and\t repent\t not\t afterwards\t thinking\u2014we\t were\t face\t to face\t with\t the\t Teacher,\t yet\t we\t were\t not\t able\t to\t question\t the Exalted\t One\t in\t his\t presence.\\\"\t When\t he\t spoke\t thus\t the disciples\twere\tsilent. For\t the\t second\t and\t third\t time\t the\t Buddha\t addressed\t the disciples\tin\tthe\tsame\tway.\tAnd\tfor\tthe\tsecond\tand\tthird\ttime the\tdisciples\twere\tsilent. Then\t the\t Buddha\t addressed\t the\t disciples\t and\t said: \\\"Perhaps\tit\tmay\tbe\tout\tof\trespect\tfor\tthe\tteacher\tthat\tyou\tdo not\t question\t me.\t Let\t a\t friend,\t O\t disciples,\t intimate\t it\t to another.\\\" Still\tthe\tdisciples\twere\tsilent. Thereupon\tthe\tVenerable\t\u00c1nanda\tspoke\tto\tthe\tBuddha\tas follows: \\\"Wonderful,\t Lord!\t Marvellous,\t Lord!\t Thus\t am\t I pleased\t with\t the\t company\t of\t disciples.\t There\t is\t not\t a single\t disciple\t who\t entertains\t a\t doubt\t or\t perplexity with\t regard\t to\t the\t Buddha,\t the\t doctrine,\t the\t order,\t the Path\tand\tthe\tMethod.\\\" \\\"You\tspeak\tout\tof\tfaith,\t\u00c1nanda,\twith\tregard\tto\tthis matter.\tThere\tis\tknowledge\tin\tthe\tTath\u0101gata,\tthat\tin\tthis company\tof\tdisciples\tthere\tis\tnot\ta\tsingle\tdisciple\twho entertains\t a\t doubt\t or\t perplexity\t with\t regard\t to\t the doctrine,\t the\t order,\t the\t path\t and\t the\t method.\t Of\t these five\t hundred\t disciples,\t \u00c1nanda,\t he\t who\t is\t the\t last\t is\t a Stream\t Winner,\t not\t subject\t to\t fall\t but\t certain\t and 242","destined\tfor\tenlightenment.\t231 Lastly\t the\t Buddha\t addressed\t the\t disciples\t and\t gave his\tfinal\texhortation: \\\"Behold,\t O\t disciples,\t I\t exhort\t you.\t Subject\t to change\t are\t all\t component\t things.\t (Vayadhamm\u0101 sa\u1e47kh\u0101r\u0101.\t App\u0101madena\t samp\u0101detha).\t Strive\t on\t with diligence.\\\"\t These\t were\t the\t last\t words\t of\t the\t Blessed One. The\tPassing\tAway The\t Buddha\t attained\t to\t the\t first\t ecstasy\t (jh\u0101na).\t Emerging from\tit,\the\tattained\tin\torder\tto\tthe\tsecond,\tthird,\tand\tfourth ecstasies.\t Emerging\t from\t the\t fourth\t ecstasy,\t he\t attained\t to \\\"the\t realm\t of\t the\t infinity\t of\t space\\\"\t (\u0101k\u0101s\u0101na\u00f1c\u0101yatana). Emerging\tfrom\tit\the\tattained\tto\t\\\"the\trealm\tof\tthe\tinfinity\tof consciousness\\\"\t (vi\u00f1\u00f1\u0101\u1e47a\u00f1c\u0101yatana).\t Emerging\t from\t it,\t he attained\t to\t \\\"the\t realm\t of\t nothingness\\\"\t (\u0101ki\u00f1ca\u00f1\u00f1\u0101yatana). Emerging\t from\t it,\t he\t attained\t to\t \\\"the\t realm\t of\t neither- perception-nor-non-perception\\\"\t(nevasa\u00f1\u00f1\u0101n\u0101sa\u00f1\u00f1\u0101yatana). Emerging\t from\t it,\t he\t attained\t to\t \\\"the\t cessation\t of perceptions\tand\tsensations\\\"\t(sa\u00f1\u00f1\u0101vedayitanirodha). Venerable\t \u00c1nanda,\t who\t had\t then\t not\t developed\t the divine\t eye,\t addressed\t Venerable\t Anuruddha\t and\t said:\t \\\"O Venerable\tAnuruddha,\tthe\tExalted\tOne\thas\tpassed\taway.\\\" \\\"Nay,\t brother\t \u00c1nanda,\t the\t Exalted\t One\t has\t not\t passed away\t but\t has\t attained\t to\t \\\"the\t cessation\t of\t perceptions\t and sensations.\\\" Then\t the\t Buddha,\t emerging\t from\t \\\"the\t cessation\t of 243","perceptions\t and\t sensations\\\",\t attained\t to\t \\\"the\t realm\t of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.\\\"\t Emerging\t from\t it, he\tattained\tto\t\\\"the\trealm\tof\tnothingness.\\\"\temerging\tfrom\tit, he\t attained\t to\t \\\"the\t realm\t of\t the\t infinity\t of\t consciousness.\\\" Emerging\tfrom\tit,\the\tattained\tto\t\\\"the\trealm\tof\tthe\tinfinity\tof space.\\\"\t Emerging\t from\t it,\t he\t attained\t to\t the\t fourth\t ecstasy. Emerging\tfrom\tit,\the\tattained\tto\tthe\tthird\tecstasy.\tEmerging from\tit,\the\tattained\tto\tthe\tsecond\tecstasy.\tEmerging\tfrom\tit, he\tattained\tto\tthe\tfirst\tecstasy.\tEmerging\tfrom\tit,\the\tattained to\t the\t second\t ecstasy.\t Emerging\t from\t it,\t he\t attained\t to\t the third\t ecstasy.\t Emerging\t from\t it,\t he\t attained\t to\t the\t fourth ecstasy.\t Emerging\t from\t it,\t and\t immediately\t after,\t the Buddha\tfinally\tpassed\taway.\t232 244","XV. The\tTeachings\tof\tthe\tBuddha What\tis\tBuddhism? \\\"This\t doctrine\t is\t profound,\t hard\t to\t see,\t difficult\t to understand,\t calm,\t sublime,\t not\t within\t the\t sphere\t of logic,\tsubtle,\tto\tbe\tunderstood\tby\tthe\twise.\\\" \u2014Majjhima\tNik\u0101ya Tipi\u1e6daka T he\t Buddha\t has\t passed\t away,\t but\t the\t sublime teaching,\twhich\the\texpounded\tduring\this\tlong\tand successful\t ministry\t and\t which\t he\t unreservedly bequeathed\tto\thumanity,\tstill\texists\tin\tits\tpristine\tpurity. Although\t the\t Master\t has\t left\t no\t written\t records\t of\t his teachings,\t his\t disciples\t preserved\t them,\t by\t committing\t to memory\t and\t transmitting\t them\t orally\t from\t generation\t to generation. Three\tmonths\tafter\tthe\tdeath\tof\tthe\tBuddha,\tin\tthe\teighth year\t of\t King\t Aj\u0101tasattu's\t reign,\t 500\t pre-eminent\t arahants concerned\t with\t preserving\t the\t purity\t of\t the\t doctrine\t held\t a convocation\t at\t R\u0101jagaha\t to\t rehearse\t it.\t The\t Venerable \u00c1nanda\tThera,\tthe\tBuddha's\tbeloved\tattendant\twho\thad\tthe 245","special\tprivilege\tand\thonour\tof\thearing\tthe\tdiscourses\tfrom the\t Buddha\t himself,\t and\t the\t Venerable\t Up\u0101li\t Thera\t were chosen\t to\t answer\t questions\t about\t the\t Dhamma\t (doctrine) and\tthe\tVinaya\t(discipline)\trespectively. This\t first\t council\t compiled\t and\t arranged\t in\t its\t present form\t the\t Pali\t Tipi\u1e6daka,\t which\t represents\t the\t entire\t body\t of the\tBuddha's\tteaching. Two\t other\t councils\t 233\t of\t arahants\t were\t held\t 100\t and 236\t years\t later\t respectively,\t again\t to\t rehearse\t the\t word\t of the\tBuddha\tbecause\tattempts\twere\tbeing\tmade\tto\tpollute\tthe pure\tteaching. About\t 83\t BCE,\t during\t the\t reign\t of\t the\t pious\t Sinhala King\t Vaag\u0101mani\t Abhaya,\t 234\t a\t council\t of\t arahants\t was held,\tand\tthe\tTipi\u1e6daka\twas,\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\tthe\thistory\tof Buddhism,\t committed\t to\t writing\t at\t Aluvih\u0101ra\t 235\t in\t Sri Lanka. Thanks\t to\t the\t indefatigable\t efforts\t of\t those\t noble\t and foresighted\t arahants,\t there\t is\t no\t room\t either\t now\t or\t in\t the future\tfor\thigher\tcritics\tor\tprogressive\tscholars\tto\tadulterate the\tpure\tteaching. The\t voluminous\t Tipi\u1e6daka,\t which\t contains\t the\t essence\t of the\tBuddha's\tteaching,\tis\testimated\tto\tbe\tabout\televen\ttimes the\tsize\tof\tthe\tBible. The\tword\tTipi\u1e6daka\t(Skt.\tTripi\u1e6daka)\tmeans\t\\\"three\tbaskets.\\\" They\tare\tthe\tbasket\tof\tdiscipline\t(vinaya\tpi\u1e6daka),\tthe\tbasket of\t discourses\t (sutta\t pi\u1e6daka)\t and\t the\t basket\t of\t ultimate doctrine\t(abhidhamma\tpi\u1e6daka). 246","Vinaya\tPi\u1e6daka The\tVinaya\tPi\u1e6daka,\twhich\tis\tregarded\tas\tthe\tsheet\tanchor\tof the\t holy\t order,\t deals\t mainly\t with\t the\t rules\t and\t regulations of\t the\t order\t of\t bhikkhus\t (monks)\t and\t bhikkhun\u012bs\t (nuns). For\t nearly\t twenty\t years\t after\t the\t enlightenment\t of\t the Buddha,\t no\t definite\t rules\t were\t laid\t down\t for\t control\t and discipline\t of\t the\t Sangha\t (order).\t Subsequently\t as\t occasion arose,\t the\t Buddha\t promulgated\t rules\t for\t the\t future discipline\t of\t the\t Sangha.\t Reasons\t for\t the\t promulgation\t of rules,\t their\t various\t implications,\t and\t specific\t Vinaya ceremonies\t of\t the\t Sangha\t are\t fully\t described\t in\t the\t Vinaya Pi\u1e6daka.\tThe\thistory\tof\tthe\tgradual\tdevelopment\tof\tthe\ts\u0101sana from\t its\t very\t inception,\t a\t brief\t account\t of\t the\t life\t and ministry\tof\tthe\tBuddha,\tand\tdetails\tof\tthe\tthree\tcouncils\tare some\t other\t additional\t relevant\t contents\t of\t the\t Vinaya Pi\u1e6daka.\tIndirectly\tit\treveals\tuseful\tinformation\tabout\tancient history,\tIndian\tcustoms,\tancient\tarts,\tand\tsciences.\tOne\twho reads\t the\t Vinaya\t Pi\u1e6daka\t cannot\t but\t be\t impressed\t by\t the democratic\t constitution\t of\t the\t Sangha,\t their\t holding\t of possessions\t in\t common,\t the\t exceptionally\t high\t moral standard\t of\t the\t bhikkhus,\t and\t the\t unsurpassed administrative\tabilities\tof\tthe\tBuddha,\twho\tanticipated\teven the\t present\t parliamentary\t system.\t Lord\t Zetland\t writes: \\\"And\tit\tmay\tcome\tas\ta\tsurprise\tto\tmany\tto\tlearn\tthat\tin\tthe assemblies\tof\tthe\tBuddhists\tin\tIndia\ttwo\tthousand\tyears\tand more\t ago\t are\t to\t be\t found\t the\t rudiments\t of\t our\t own parliamentary\tpractice\tof\tthe\tpresent\tday.\\\"\t236 The\tVinaya\tPi\u1e6daka\tconsists\tof\tthe\tfollowing\tfive\tbooks: 247","1.\tP\u0101r\u0101jika\tPali Vibha\u1e47ga (Major\tOffences) 2.\tP\u0101cittiya\tPali (Minor\tOffences) 3.\tMah\u0101vagga\tPali (Greater\tSection) 4.\tCullavagga\tPali Khandaka (Lesser\tSection) 5.\tPariv\u0101ra\tPali (Epitome\tof\tthe\tVinaya) Sutta\tPi\u1e6daka The\t Sutta\t Pi\u1e6daka\t consists\t chiefly\t of\t instructive\t discourses delivered\tby\tthe\tBuddha\tto\tboth\tthe\tSangha\tand\tthe\tlaity\ton various\t occasions.\t A\t few\t discourses,\t expounded\t by disciples\tsuch\tas\tthe\tVenerables\tS\u0101riputta,\tMoggall\u0101na,\tand \u00c1nanda,\t are\t incorporated\t and\t are\t accorded\t as\t much veneration\t as\t the\t word\t of\t the\t Buddha\t himself,\t since\t they were\t approved\t by\t him.\t Most\t of\t the\t sermons\t were\t intended mainly\t for\t the\t benefit\t of\t bhikkhus,\t and\t they\t deal\t with\t the holy\t life\t and\t with\t the\t exposition\t of\t the\t doctrine.\t There\t are several\t other\t discourses\t which\t deal\t with\t both\t the\t material and\tthe\tmoral\tprogress\tof\this\tlay\tfollowers.\tThe\tSig\u0101lov\u0101da Sutta,\t 237\t for\t instance,\t deals\t mainly\t with\t the\t duties\t of\t a layman.\t There\t are\t also\t a\t few\t interesting\t talks\t given\t to children. This\t Pi\u1e6daka\t may\t be\t compared\t to\t a\t book\t of\t prescriptions, since\t the\t discourses\t were\t expounded\t on\t diverse\t occasions to\t suit\t the\t temperaments\t of\t various\t persons.\t There\t may\t be seemingly\t contradictory\t statements,\t but\t they\t should\t not\t be misconstrued\t as\t they\t were\t uttered\t by\t the\t Buddha\t to\t suit\t a particular\tpurpose;\tfor\tinstance,\tto\tthe\tself-same\tquestion\the would\t maintain\t silence,\t when\t the\t inquirer\t was\t merely foolishly\tinquisitive,\tor\tgive\ta\tdetailed\treply\twhen\the\tknew 248","the\tinquirer\tto\tbe\tan\tearnest\tseeker\tafter\tthe\ttruth. The\t Sutta\t Pi\u1e6daka\t consists\t of\t the\t following\t five\t Nik\u0101yas (collections): 1.\tD\u012bgha\tNik\u0101ya\t(Collection\tof\tLong\tDiscourses) 2.\t Majjhima\t Nik\u0101ya\t (Collection\t of\t Middle-length Discourses) 3.\tSa\u1e43yutta\tNik\u0101ya\t(Collection\tof\tKindred\tSayings) 4.\tA\u1e47guttara\tNik\u0101ya\t(Collection\tof\tGradual\tSayings) 5.\tKhuddaka\tNik\u0101ya\t(Smaller\tCollection) This\tfifth\tis\tsubdivided\tinto\tfifteen\tbooks: 1.\tKhuddakap\u0101ha\t(Shorter\tTexts) 2.\tDhammapada\t(The\tWay\tof\tTruth) 3.\tUd\u0101na\t(Inspired\tUtterances) 4.\tItivuttaka\t(\\\"Thus\tsaid\\\"\tDiscourses) 5.\tSutta\tNip\u0101ta\t(Collected\tDiscourses) 6.\tVim\u0101na\tVatthu\t(Stories\tof\tCelestial\tMansions) 7.\tPeta\tVatthu\t(Stories\tof\tDeparted\tOnes) 8.\tTherag\u0101th\u0101\t(Verses\tof\tthe\tElder\tMonks) 9.\tTher\u012bg\u0101th\u0101\t(Verses\tof\tthe\tElder\tNuns) 10.\tJ\u0101taka\t(Birth\tStories\tof\tthe\tBodhisatta) 11.\tNiddesa\t(Expositions) 12.\tPa\u1e6disambhid\u0101magga\t(Path\tof\tAnalytical\tKnowledge) 249","13.\tApad\u0101na\t(Lives\tof\tArahants) 14.\tBuddhava\u1e43sa\t(History\tof\tthe\tBuddha) 15.\tCariy\u0101\tPi\u1e6daka\t(Modes\tof\tConduct) Abhidhamma\tPi\u1e6daka The\t Abhidhamma\t Pi\u1e6daka\t is\t the\t most\t important\t and\t most interesting\t of\t the\t three\t containing\t as\t it\t does\t the\t profound philosophy\t of\t the\t Buddha's\t teaching\t in\t contrast\t to\t the simpler\tdiscourses\tin\tthe\tSutta\tPi\u1e6daka. Abhidhamma,\t the\t higher\t doctrine\t of\t the\t Buddha, expounds\tthe\tquintessence\tof\this\tprofound\tteachings.\t238 According\t to\t some\t scholars\t Abhidhamma\t is\t not\t a teaching\t of\t the\t Buddha,\t but\t is\t a\t later\t elaboration\t of scholastic\tmonks.\tTradition,\thowever,\tattributes\tthe\tnucleus of\t the\t Abhidhamma\t to\t the\t Buddha\t himself.\t The\t m\u0101tik\u0101\tor Matrices\t of\t the\t Abhidhamma,\t such\t as\t kusal\u0101\t dhamm\u0101 (wholesome\tstates),\takusal\u0101\tdhamm\u0101\t(unwholesome\tstates), and\t aby\u0101kata\t dhamm\u0101\t (indeterminate\t states),\t etc.,\t which have\t been\t elaborated\t in\t six\t of\t the\t books,\t 239\t were expounded\t by\t the\t Buddha.\t To\t the\t Venerable\t S\u0101riputta\t is assigned\t the\t honour\t of\t having\t explained\t all\t these\t topics\t in detail. Whoever\t the\t great\t author\t or\t authors\t may\t have\t been,\t it has\t to\t be\t admitted\t that\t the\t Abhidhamma\t must\t be\t the product\t of\t an\t intellectual\t genius\t comparable\t only\t to\t the Buddha.\tThis\tis\tevident\tfrom\tthe\tintricate\tand\tsubtle\tpa\u0101na- pakara\u1e47a\t which\t describes\t in\t detail\t the\t various\t causal relations. 250"]
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