The Buddha's Last Days

The Buddha had taught the truth for forty-five years. His every action had been for the sake of others. Now he was eighty years old. Despite his age, he prepared to make one last journey. He said, "I have little time to live. I wish to return to my homeland where I grew up." He and his disciples travelled slowly, resting often. Along the way, many people came to see him and to ask for advice. The Buddha was happy to teach anybody who came to him. They all listened and bowed respectfully.

The Buddha spoke of his death.

On the journey, the Buddha was offered a meal of mushrooms by Chunda, a blacksmith. He became ill after the meal, but insisted on continuing as far as Kusinagara. Ananda, his faithful attendant, wept to see the Buddha so ill. The Buddha comforted him saying, "Do not grieve, Ananda. I am old and feeble and cannot live forever. It is natural for everything that is born to die. In three months I shall pass into final Nirvana, a state of ultimate peace and happiness. Call all the monks and nuns together."

The disciples wept and begged their teacher to remain in the world. With tears in his eyes, Ananda asked, "When the Buddha is no longer in the world, who is there to teach us?"

"What more is there to teach, Ananda?" the Buddha asked. "I have taught you all I know. There is nothing that I have kept hidden. My teachings are your teacher now. Follow them and you will be true to me."

In a sala grove near Kusinagara, the Buddha humbly said, "I can go no further. Ananda, prepare a resting place for me between these two large sala trees." He lied down on his right side with his head to the north. The two sala trees bloomed out of season and rained their blossoms all around him.