The Buddha when old.
228. While Ānanda was massaging the Lord’s limbs he said to him: “The Lord’s complexion is no longer pure and bright, his limbs are flabby and wrinkled, his body stooped, and his sense faculties have deteriorated.” (SN 48.41) [Aug 16]
240. I am now old, aged, worn out, having traversed life’s path, approaching the end of my life, being about eighty. Just as an old cart can only be kept going by being strapped together, so too, my body can only be kept going by being strapped together.” (DN 16) [Aug 28]
The reply to Māra.
204. Once, when I was resting under the Goatherd’s Banyan Tree on the banks of the Nerañjara River just after my enlightenment, Māra came to see me and said: ‘Pass away now, now is a good time for the Lord to die.’ But I replied to Māra saying: ‘I shall not die until the monks, the nuns, the laymen and the laywomen have become deeply learned, wise and well trained, remembering the teachings, proficient in the greater and lesser doctrines, virtuous and learned, not until they are able to tell it to others, teach it, make it known, establish it, open it up, explain it and make it clear, not until they are able to refute false doctrines taught by the others and to spread the convincing and liberating truth abroad. I shall not die until the holy life has become successful, widespread, well-regarded and popular, not until it has become well proclaimed among both gods and humans.’ (DN 16) [Jul 23]
The sāl trees burst into flower.
325. And the Lord said: “Ānanda, prepare a couch between these two sāl trees, for I am tired and wish to lie down.” So Ānanda did as the Lord asked, and then the Lord lay down on his right side, resting one foot on the other in the lion-like posture, mindful and clearly conscious. Then suddenly, the two sāl trees burst into full bloom out of season and the flowers rained down out of respect for the Tathāgata. Celestial blossoms and heavenly sandalwood powder rained down, and heavenly music and voices could be heard, all out of respect for the Tathāgata.
Then the Lord addressed Ānanda saying: “Behold these sāl blossoms and heavenly flowers, sandalwood powder, music and voices. Yet, it is not like this that the Tathāgata is respected, venerated, esteemed, worshipped and honored with the highest respect. Rather, the monk or the nun, the layman or the laywoman who abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of Dhamma and who practice the Dhamma, it is they who respect, venerate, esteem, worship and honor the Tathāgata with the highest respect. Therefore, abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of the Dhamma and practice the Dhamma. This is how you should train yourself.” (DN 16) [Nov 21]
Ananda's grief.
234. Venerable Ānanda went to the house, leaned against the doorpost and wept, saying: “I am but a learner. I still have to attain perfection. But alas, my teacher, he who is so compassionate towards me, is about to pass away.” Then the Lord asked the monks: “Where is Ānanda?” and they told him and the Lord said: “Go monk, and say to Ānanda: ‘Friend Ānanda, the Lord calls you’.” When Ānanda came, the Lord said to him: “Enough Ānanda, do not cry. Have I not taught that it is the nature of all things beloved that we must suffer separation and be severed from them? For that which is born, come to be and compounded is also subject to dissolution. How could it be otherwise? For a long time Ānanda, you have served the Tathāgata with thoughts of love; with words of love; and with deeds of love - helpfully, happily, whole-heartedly and immeasurably. You have created great good. Now put forth energy and soon you too will be free from the defilements.” (DN 16) [Aug 22]
The Buddha's praise of Dhammārāma.
256. From the day the Lord said that in four months he would pass into final Nirvana thousands of people came to wait upon him. Those who had not yet attained the fruits of Stream-Winning could not restrain their tears and those who had not attained enlightenment felt a deep sorrow and walked around in small groups saying: “What will we do?” But the monk named Dhammārāma kept separate from the other and when asked what was the matter with him he gave no reply. He had thought to himself: “The Lord has said that in four months he will attain final Nirvana and I am still not free from desire. So, while the Lord lives I will strive to attain enlightenment.” Accordingly, Dhammārāma kept to himself, recollecting, pondering and calling to mind the Lord’s Dhamma. The monks went to the Tathāgata and said: “Reverend sir, Dhammārāma has no affection for you. Since you announced the time of your final Nirvana he has nothing to do with us.” The Lord had Dhammārāma called to him and asked: “Is it true what they say, that you have nothing to do with the other monks?”
“Yes, reverend sir, it is true.”
“Why do you do this?”
“I do it thinking that in four months you will attain final Nirvana and I am still not free from desire. Thus, while I live I will strive to attain enlightenment.’ That is why I keep to myself, recollecting, pondering and calling to mind the Lord’s Dhamma.”
“Excellent, monk, excellent,” said the Lord.
Then the Lord addressed the other monks, saying: “Every monk should show his affection for me the way Dhammārāma does. They who honor me with garlands, perfume and so on honor me not. But they who practice the Dhamma in all its parts, they honor me in the best way.” (Dhp-a 364) [Sep 13]
The Buddha's final instructions.
254. Now it may be that some of you think: ‘The Teacher’s instructions have ceased. We have no teacher anymore.’ But it should not be seen like this. The Dhamma and the training I have proclaimed, let that be your teacher after I am gone. (DN 16) [Sep 11]
336. Be an island unto yourselves, be a refuge unto yourselves, take for yourselves no other refuge. Let the Dhamma be your island and your refuge. And how does one do this? Concerning this, one dwells contemplating the body in the body, feelings in feeling, mind in mind, and mental objects in mental objects, ardent, clearly conscious and mindful, having put aside the attraction and repulsion of the world. And those who live like this now and after I have passed away will attain the highest. But they must be anxious to learn. (DN 16) [Dec 2]
The Buddha's last words.
248. Then the Lord addressed the monks: “Now monks, I say unto you, all conditioned things are impermanent, strive on with diligence.” These were the Tathāgata’s last words. (DN 16) [Sep 5]
After the Buddha's passing.
304. The brahman Doṇa addresses the assembled crowd saying: “The Buddha’s teaching is about patience and it is not right that strife should come from sharing out the remains of this best of men. Let us all be come together in harmony and peace and in a spirit of friendship, let the remains be divided into eight.” (DN 16) [Oct 31]