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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> Third Chapter for Recitation<br />

reveal, make known, set forth, open up, analyse, make plain - after<br />

giving a good rebuke with reason to <strong>the</strong> doctrines of o<strong>the</strong>rs that have<br />

arisen - and teach <strong>the</strong> miraculous Teaching.’ 84<br />

But at present, reverend Sir, <strong>the</strong> Gracious One's monks are (true)<br />

disciples, accomplished, disciplined, confident, learned, bearers of <strong>the</strong><br />

Teaching, practising in conformity with <strong>the</strong> Teaching, correct in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

practice, living in conformity with <strong>the</strong> Teaching, and having learned it<br />

from <strong>the</strong>ir own teacher, do declare, reveal, make known, set forth,<br />

open up, analyse, make plain - after giving a good rebuke with reason<br />

to <strong>the</strong> doctrines of o<strong>the</strong>rs that have arisen - and teach <strong>the</strong> miraculous<br />

Teaching.<br />

May <strong>the</strong> Gracious One attain Final <strong>Emancipation</strong> now, reverend Sir,<br />

may <strong>the</strong> Fortunate One attain Final <strong>Emancipation</strong>, now is <strong>the</strong> time,<br />

reverend Sir, for <strong>the</strong> Gracious One's Final <strong>Emancipation</strong>. For <strong>the</strong>se<br />

words, reverend Sir, were spoken by <strong>the</strong> Gracious One:<br />

‘I will not attain Final <strong>Emancipation</strong>, Wicked One, for as long as my<br />

nuns are not (true) disciples, accomplished, disciplined, confident,<br />

learned, bearers of <strong>the</strong> Teaching, practising in conformity with <strong>the</strong><br />

Teaching, correct in <strong>the</strong>ir practice, living in conformity with <strong>the</strong><br />

84 <strong>The</strong>re are 3 types of miracles (pāṭihāriya): miraculous powers<br />

(iddhipāṭihāriya), prophecy (ādesanāpāṭihāriya), and <strong>the</strong> miracle of<br />

instruction (anusāsanīpāṭihāriya); it is <strong>the</strong> last which is intended here. It<br />

does not mean <strong>the</strong> Teaching accompanied by miracles.<br />

77

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