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The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

An English translation of one of the longest discourses in the canon, detailing the last year of the Buddha’s life, and his final teachings (Mahāparinibbānasuttaṁ, DN 16)

An English translation of one of the longest discourses in the canon, detailing the last year of the Buddha’s life, and his final teachings (Mahāparinibbānasuttaṁ, DN 16)

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<strong>The</strong> Fourth Chapter for Recitation<br />

For a second time venerable Ānanda said this to <strong>the</strong> Gracious One:<br />

“Just now, reverend Sir, five hundred wagons have passed by, and <strong>the</strong><br />

little water that flows, having been churned by <strong>the</strong> wheels, is stirred up<br />

and disturbed. <strong>The</strong> Kakutthā river is not far away, with transparent<br />

water, agreeable water, cool water, pure water, with beautiful banks, a<br />

delightful (place), <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong> Gracious One can drink drinking water,<br />

and can cool his limbs.”<br />

For a third time <strong>the</strong> Gracious One addressed venerable Ānanda,<br />

(saying): “Come now, Ānanda, bring drinking water, I am thirsty,<br />

Ānanda, and will drink.”<br />

“Very well, reverend Sir”, said venerable Ānanda, and after replying<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Gracious One, and taking <strong>the</strong> bowl, he approached <strong>the</strong> little<br />

river. <strong>The</strong>n that little river that was flowing, which had been churned<br />

by <strong>the</strong> wheels, and was stirred up and disturbed, as venerable Ānanda<br />

was approaching, flowed transparent, clear, and undisturbed.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n it occurred to venerable Ānanda: “Surely it is wonderful, surely<br />

it is marvellous, <strong>the</strong> Realised One's great power and great majesty, in<br />

that that little river that is flowing, which has been churned by wheels,<br />

and is stirred up and disturbed, as I was approaching, flowed<br />

transparent, clear, and undisturbed.”<br />

After taking a bowl of drinking water he approached <strong>the</strong> Gracious<br />

One, and after approaching, he said this to <strong>the</strong> Gracious One: “It is<br />

wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir, <strong>the</strong> Realised<br />

One's great power and great majesty, in that that little river that is<br />

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