The Last Words of Lord Buddha: Insights from His Final Teachings

Lord Buddha's final words are a profound reminder of the impermanence of all existence, a key teaching in Buddhism that continues to resonate with individuals seeking liberation from suffering. In Pali, the language of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, Buddha's final advice to his disciples is:

Buddha's Last Words Explained

The original Pali words are: “Vayadhamma sankhāra. Appamādena sampādetha.”

Vaya means ‘passing away,’ derived from the Sanskrit word ‘vyaya.’ Dhamma signifies ‘true nature.’ And sankhāra, also derived from Sanskrit, conveys ‘conditioned formations’ or sanskara. Thus, the first sentence literally means:

All modifications are of the nature of passing away. All modifications are perishable/impermanent.

Buddha's final words can be translated as: 'Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation.' This statement encapsulates the essence of impermanence and the pursuit of enlightenment.

Interpretations and Meanings

Interpretations vary but all emphasize the impermanent nature of existence:

Interpretation 1: Khaya-vaya-dhammā sa?khārā. Appamādena sampādethāti. This can be paraphrased as: 'Fabulations are subject to passing away. Become awake through heedfulness.'

Interpretation 2: All conditioned things are subject to decay. Strive for your own enlightenment.

Interpretation 3: You are all going to die. Be diligent in your own enlightenment.

Final Teaching: A Graceful Farewell

Much like Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, his last words also emphasize the same principles. The reality of impermanence and the importance of personal enlightenment are paramount in this final advice.

The Story of Buddha's Last Day

Sadɡurū narrates a beautiful incident that took place on Buddha's last day, highlighting how one can handle death gracefully if they have lived well. This tale reflects Buddha's lifelong journey of imparting wisdom and understanding to his disciples.

According to the records, Buddha developed a strong resolve, taking the Bodhi tree as his witness, and vowed not to arise until he had found the truth. After a long period of meditation, he achieved enlightenment—the roots of the Buddhist religion. He continued teaching for many years, and on the day of his death, he gave his final teaching.

Understanding the Teachings

Buddha's final words, like all Buddhist teachings, are open to interpretation. They concern the impermanent nature of all conditioned phenomena. The final statement ' Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation.' underscores Buddha's core teachings on impermanence and the path to liberation.

This final advice serves as a powerful reminder to live a life of awareness and mindfulness, to recognize the impermanent nature of all things, and to strive towards personal transformation and enlightenment.

By understanding and embracing these teachings, we can navigate the challenges of life with greater wisdom and peace, ultimately finding the peace and liberation that Buddha himself achieved.