Mahaparinibbanasuttam (DN 16) - Ancient Buddhist Texts

The Sixth Chapter for Recitation - 216
Imesaṁ hi Ānanda pañcannaṁ bhikkhusatānaṁ,
For amongst these five hundred monks, Ānanda,
yo pacchimako bhikkhu so sotāpanno avinipātadhammo,
he who is the last monk, is a Stream-Enterer, no longer subject to falling (into the lower
realms),
niyato sambodhiparāyano.” ti
and has a fixed destiny ending in Final Awakening.” 249
* * *
Atha kho Bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:
Then the Gracious One addressed the monks, (saying):
“Handa dāni bhikkhave āmantayāmi vo vayadhammā saṅkhārā,
“Come now, monks, for I tell you (all) conditioned things are subject to decay,
appamādena sampādethā!” ti
strive on with heedfulness!”
Ayaṁ Tathāgatassa pacchimā vācā.
These were the last words of the Realised One. 250
[41: Parinibbānaṁ]
[The Final Emancipation]
Atha kho Bhagavā paṭhamajjhānaṁ samāpajji,
Then the Gracious One attained the first absorption,
paṭhamajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā, dutiyajjhānaṁ samāpajji,
and after emerging from the first absorption he attained the second absorption,
dutiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā, tatiyajjhānaṁ samāpajji,
and after emerging from the second absorption he attained the third absorption,
tatiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā, catutthajjhānaṁ samāpajji,
and after emerging from the third absorption he attained the fourth absorption, 251
catutthajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā, ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samāpajji,
and after emerging from the fourth absorption he attained the sphere of endless space,
249 According to the Commentary the last monk the Buddha was referring to was Ānanda
himself, and this was said to encourage his efforts.
250 Commentary: Saṅgītikārakānaṁ vacanaṁ; the words of those who held the (First) Council.
251 The first 4 absorptions are referred to as the form absorptions (rūpajhāna), the next 4 are
called formless absorptions (arūpajhāna).