What was The Buddha's Last Teaching?
#dhamma #enlightenment #buddhism #meditation
Once, when the Buddha was ailing in Beluva, amidst the distress and sorrow of Ānanda (DN 26), and again, upon hearing of Venerable Sāriputta’s passing and Ānanda’s ensuing grief (SN 47.13), the Buddha delivered these teachings. They encapsulated his entire practice in a succinct form and served as a final testament from the master aware of his impending demise. He encouraged and advised his disciples on the essential practices they should adopt after his passing: “Therefore, Ānanda, be a lamp unto yourself, rely upon yourself alone; do not rely upon anyone else. Let the Dhamma be your lamp; let the Dhamma be your refuge, with no other refuge… Here, Ānanda, in this life, a monk who dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardently, clearly comprehending, and mindful, having subdued longing and distress within the world; …who dwells contemplating feelings in feelings… who dwells contemplating mind in minds… who dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardently, clearly comprehending, and mindful, having subdued longing and distress within the world. Thus, Ānanda, a monk is his own lamp, is his own refuge, without other refuge; having the Dhamma as his lamp, having the Dhamma as his refuge, with no other refuge. Those monks, Ānanda, who now or after my passing, will be their own lamps, will rely on themselves alone and not rely on any other, having the Dhamma as their lamp, having the Dhamma as their refuge, with no other refuge—these, Ānanda, are said to be supreme among my monks, those who are eager to learn.” The word ‘dīpa’ can mean both ‘lamp’ and ‘island,’ hence it can be translated as: “Be a torch unto yourself and go forth alone,” or “Build an island unto yourself.”

In this unique and pivotal instruction, the Buddha emphasized two key points: be your own lamp, rely upon yourself, not depending upon anyone else. Take the Dhamma as your lamp, take the Dhamma as your refuge, without depending on anything else. These principles may be seen as a true reflection of the life of seeking, practicing, and stabilizing the teachings, based on his own experiences and encompassing the entirety of the Dhamma he expounded over 45 years to guide his disciples.