An Exposition of the Mahaparinibbana Sutta Book

This long discourse is unlike any other. It is not a single Dhamma talk at one location, but an account of the last year or so of the Buddha’s life. This discourse contains the Buddha’s final instructions, thus it is very important for the preservation of the Buddha’s dispensation. Every Buddhist should know about the important teachings contained in this Sutta. The Sutta begins when the Blessed One was dwelling on Vultures’ Peak near Rajagaha, it describes his journey to Pataligama, which would become the new capital city of King Ajatasattu of Magadha. There, the Buddha crossed the Ganges with the Sangha by using his psychic powers, and proceeded towards Vesali on the north bank of the Ganges. The Buddha entered the Rains Retreat for the last time near the village of Beluva, accompanied only by Venerable Ananda, while the other monks took up residence for the Rains in the vicinity of Vesali. At the end of the Rains, Mara approached the Buddha and asked him to pass away there and then. The Buddha refused, but announced that his demise would take place in three months. Thereupon there was a great earthquake. The remainder of the discourse describes the Buddha's journey to Kusinara, his last meal, the ordination of his last disciple, Subhadda, and his demise in the Sal grove. Finally, the discourse describes the cremation, the partition of the Buddha’s relics, and the building of Ten Pagodas in different regions.