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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 />

I disappeared. And when I had disappeared <strong>the</strong>y did not know me<br />

(and would ask): ‘Who is this who disappeared, a Divinity or a<br />

man?’<br />

5) I know, Ānanda, that after approaching countless hundreds of<br />

assemblies of <strong>the</strong> Four <strong>Great</strong> Kings, that <strong>the</strong>re, before settling<br />

down, before conversing, and before entering upon discussion,<br />

whatever <strong>the</strong>ir appearance was, my appearance would become,<br />

whatever <strong>the</strong>ir voice was, my voice would become, and I<br />

instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered <strong>the</strong>m with a talk <strong>about</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Teaching, and while I was speaking <strong>the</strong>y did not know me (and<br />

would ask): ‘Who is this speaking, a Divinity or a man?’ and<br />

having instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered <strong>the</strong>m with a talk<br />

<strong>about</strong> <strong>the</strong> Teaching, I disappeared. And when I had disappeared<br />

<strong>the</strong>y did not know me (and would ask): ‘Who is this who<br />

disappeared, a Divinity or a man?’<br />

6) I know, Ānanda, that after approaching countless hundreds of<br />

assemblies of <strong>the</strong> Tāvatiṁsa (Divinities), that <strong>the</strong>re, before settling<br />

down, before conversing, and before entering upon discussion,<br />

whatever <strong>the</strong>ir appearance was, my appearance would become,<br />

whatever <strong>the</strong>ir voice was, my voice would become, and I<br />

instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered <strong>the</strong>m with a talk <strong>about</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Teaching, and while I was speaking <strong>the</strong>y did not know me (and<br />

would ask): ‘Who is this speaking, a Divinity or a man?’ and<br />

having instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered <strong>the</strong>m with a talk<br />

<strong>about</strong> <strong>the</strong> Teaching, I disappeared. And when I had disappeared<br />

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