'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 man
an end of Suffering.'
When Ananda asked the Buddha what would become of the Order after
He pass 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皞. It may be, Ananda, that to 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 will 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 worldly 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.'
Source : www.ic.sunysb.edu