The Last Words of the Buddha

By
Sthiramati (sthiramati@gmail.com)
August, 2012

Introduction
The last days of the Buddha are described in the Mahparinibbna Suttam (Dgha
Nikya 16).
nanda was one of the principle disciples of the Buddha and also his cousin. He became

the Buddhas personal attendant during the twentieth year of his ministry, after which he
accompanied the Buddha almost at all times and at all places.
The following, describing the events just before the Buddhas passing away, are excerpts
from this Suttam.
Excerpts from the Mahparinibbna Suttam (

, , , , ,
,
Now () the Lord () addressed () nanda ( ) thus
nanda (), maybe () such a thought () occurs to you () the
instruction () of the teacher () has ended (), we () have no ()

teacher (). nanda (), it () should not been seen ( ) in this manner
(). nanda (), whatever () teaching () and discipline () has been
instructed ( ) and explained () by me (), that () will be your () teacher
() after my passing away ( ).

Notes
Sanskrit (the last consonant is often dropped in the Pli)
Sanskrit , from = long lived
Sanskrit = invited, addressed
Sanskrit = instruction
Sanskrit = teacher

Sanskrit = past (literally, that which gone by,

Sanskrit = should be seen
Sanskrit = +

+ )

 Sanskrit , from , to hold, literally that which sustains, used by the

Buddha to represent the teaching
Sanskrit , from , special, and , to lead, literally that which leads
you (on the right path), used by the Buddha to represent the discipline. (the

teaching) and (the discipline) are the two aspects of the Buddhas instruction
Sanskrit = instructed
Sanskrit = explained
Sanskrit = by passing away (from [beyond] + [going])
, ,
, , ,
,

Now ( ) the Lord () addressed () the Bhikkhus () Bhikkhus!
(), even if () for one Bhikkhu () there may be () a doubt ()
or () misunderstanding () pertaining to the Buddha (), the Dhamma (), the

Sangha (), the path (), or the means (), then, Bhikkhus (), ask about
it! (). Do not () later () repent () and say ( ) The

teacher () was () right in front of () us (), and we () did not ask

( ) the Lord () who was right before our eyes! () . Being
spoken to thus ( ), the Bhikkhus ( ) remained silent ( ).
Notes
Sanskrit = way, means of reaching a destination
Sanskrit

= returning, i.e. expressing regret

Sanskrit , from + = face to face

Sanskrit = should ask, from = to ask

Sanskrit = from + = in front of the eyes

The Lord () repeated the question for the second time (), and again for the
third time (). Even at the third repetition (), the Bhikkhus ( )
remained silent ( ).
Notes
Sanskrit = second
Sanskrit = third

Sanskrit = silent
, ,
, ,
Now ( ) the Lord () addressed () the Bhikkhus () Bhikkhus
()! Maybe () you do not ask ( ) out of respect for the teacher

(). In that case, Bhikkhus (), let one friend () have another friend
() ask the question (). Being spoken to thus ( ), the Bhikkhus (
) remained silent ( ).
Notes
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit

, from

(pride, respect)

= helper, friend
= make another ask

, , , , ,

, ,

Now ( ), nanda said this () to the Lord () Sir (), it is

wonderful (), it is amazing (), I am so pleased ( ) that in this

assembly of Bhikkhus ( ), there is not even ( ) a single Bhikkhu
() for whom there is a doubt () or () misunderstanding ()
pertaining to the Buddha (), the Dhamma (), the Sangha (), the path (), or
the means ().

Notes
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit

, , , , ,

, ,
,

(The Buddha said) nanda (), you speak ( ) what is true () and pleasing
() to the Tathagata (). In this () assembly of Bhikkhus (),
there is not even () one Bhikkhu () who has a doubt () or ()

misunderstanding () pertaining to the Buddha (), the Dhamma (), the Sangha

(), the path (), or the means (). nanda (), among these five hundred
Bhikkhus ( ), even the one who is the least advanced
() has entered the path (), will cling steadfast to the teaching
(), is restrained (), and is on the path to enlightenment
()!
Notes
Sanskrit = pleasing
Sanskrit = last, most behind
Sanskrit = one who has entered the stream () of spiritual life
In Buddhism, there are four stages on the path to enlightenment:

( + = the one who returns only once)

(the one who never returns),
(the completely liberated), i.e. attained

Characteristics of each of these stages are elaborated in the Tipitaka. For an overview,
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_enlightenment

 Sanskrit , from + + = one from whom the

teaching does not fall, i.e. One who is steadfast
Sanskrit , from + = controlled, restrained

Sanskrit , from (enlightenment) + (supreme

goal) = one whose supreme goal is enlightenment
, , ,

Then ( ) the Lord () addressed () the Bhikkhus () Dear
Bhikkhus ( ), I now () declare to you () all compounded things
() are bound to disintegrate (); attain ( ) (your goal) with diligence!
( ). This () was the last () instruction () of the Tathgata
().
Notes
Sanskrit , used to indicate the beginning of a communication
Sanskrit = now

Sanskrit , from + = put together, assembled includes all material

things as well as all concepts and ideas
Sanskrit , from + = that whose nature is to decay or
disintegrate
Sanskrit , from + = to obtain

Sanskrit , from = negligence; hence without negligence or

diligently