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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 />

‘But, reverend Sir, did you hear <strong>the</strong> sound?’<br />

‘I did not hear <strong>the</strong> sound, friend.’<br />

‘But, reverend Sir, were you sleeping?’<br />

‘I was not sleeping, friend.’<br />

‘But, reverend Sir, were you conscious?’<br />

‘Yes, friend.’<br />

‘So, reverend Sir, though conscious and awake when <strong>the</strong> Divinities<br />

rained down, when <strong>the</strong> Divinities threw it down, and <strong>the</strong> lightning<br />

flashed, and <strong>the</strong> thunder crashed forth, you nei<strong>the</strong>r saw (it), nor heard<br />

a sound!’<br />

‘Yes, friend.’<br />

<strong>The</strong>n, Pukkusa, this occurred to that man: ‘It is wonderful, it is<br />

marvellous, that those who have indeed gone forth live such a peaceful<br />

living. Because though conscious and awake when <strong>the</strong> Divinities rained<br />

down, when <strong>the</strong> Divinities threw it down, and <strong>the</strong> lightning flashed,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> thunder crashed forth, he did not see (it) or hear a sound!’ And<br />

after gaining great confidence in me, worshipping and<br />

circumamblating me, he left.”<br />

After this was said, Pukkusa Mallaputta said this to <strong>the</strong> Gracious One:<br />

“That faith, reverend Sir, I have in Āḷāra Kālāma, I clear away as with<br />

a great wind, I wash (it) away as with a fast-flowing river:<br />

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