Khuddaka Nikāya

  The Dhammapada stories emphasize the power of the mind and the consequences of one's mental state on actions and outcomes. A pure mind leads to happiness, while an impure mind brings suffering. Holding onto anger and hatred perpetuates suffering, whereas letting go leads to peace. Actions driven by impurity, lack of self-control, and misunderstanding of what is essential result in suffering and regret. Conversely, actions rooted in purity, self-control, and understanding lead to joy and spiritual fulfillment. The teachings advocate for self-discipline, moderation, and discernment between the essential and unessential, highlighting that moral conduct and mental development shield against negative forces and lead to a virtuous life.

  Heedfulness is crucial for spiritual progress and attaining Nibbāna, as it leads to the deathless, while heedlessness equates to spiritual death. The wise embrace heedfulness, exert effort, and live righteously, gaining honor and security from bondage. Stories from various individuals, including Sāmāvatī, Kumbaghosaka, and Cūḷapanthaka, illustrate the benefits of diligence, mindfulness, and self-control, such as protection from overwhelming challenges and achieving high status. Conversely, heedlessness results in sorrow and stagnation, as seen in the tales of the foolish and the sorrowful.

  The Sutta discusses the importance of controlling and disciplining the mind, which is described as restless, unsteady, and prone to wandering. Key stories illustrate various aspects of mind management: Meghiya Thera emphasizes straightening the mind like an arrow, while other disciples highlight the benefits of a disciplined mind in achieving happiness and wisdom. The narrative also warns of the dangers of an undisciplined mind, comparing its potential harm to that of an enemy. The overarching theme is that a well-guarded and wisely directed mind leads to liberation and surpasses any external help one might receive from relationships or material gains.

  The Sutta discusses various stories emphasizing the importance of spiritual training, understanding the ephemeral nature of life, and acting virtuously. Key themes include the conquest of earthly and divine realms through training and discernment, the peril of attachment to desires, and the virtues of acting without harm, like a bee gathering nectar. It highlights the significance of personal accountability over judging others, the value of words backed by actions, and the superior fragrance of virtue over flowers. Virtuous deeds are encouraged, as their fragrance travels even against the wind, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of righteousness. The sutta also illustrates how true wisdom and virtue can flourish even in adverse conditions, like a lotus in refuse.

  The Dhammapada's chapter on the fool emphasizes the pitfalls of ignorance and the value of wisdom. It describes how a fool suffers due to a lack of understanding of the true Dhamma, leading to long-term suffering in samsara. The sutta advises against companionship with fools and highlights the contrast between fools and wise individuals in their ability to grasp the Dhamma. Fools are portrayed as their own worst enemies, engaging in harmful actions that eventually lead to suffering. The chapter also criticizes fools for desiring recognition and influence, contrasting worldly ambitions with the pursuit of Nibbana, urging disciples to seek solitude and spiritual growth instead.

  This Sutta presents various stories emphasizing the virtues of wisdom and righteous living according to Dhamma. Key themes include the importance of associating with the wise and virtuous, shaping oneself through good practices, remaining unshaken by external praise or blame, and maintaining serenity in the face of life's challenges. The wise are depicted as those who renounce worldly desires, practice the teachings diligently, and ultimately transcend worldly suffering. The stories collectively highlight the benefits of wisdom, moral integrity, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

  The stories from "The Chapter of the Arahants" depict various aspects of enlightenment and liberation. Jīvaka's story highlights the absence of burning desire in the liberated. Elder Mahākassapa emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and detachment from homes, akin to swans leaving a pond. Elder Belaṭṭhasīsa and Anuruddha describe those who are unattached and whose paths are untraceable like birds in the sky. Elder Mahākaccāyana is admired by gods for his calm senses and lack of pride. Elder Sāriputta is likened to an unreactive earth and a clear, mud-free lake, free from rebirth. The Novice of Elder Vāsittha exemplifies peace in mind, speech, and actions, being steadfast through true knowledge. Elder Sāriputta portrays the supreme person as one who is ungrateful and desire-free. Elder Khadiravaniya Revata finds delight in any dwelling place of the Arahants. Lastly, a certain woman finds joy in forests where the passion-free delight, away from sensual pleasures.

  The Chapter of Thousands contains various stories emphasizing the value of quality over quantity in words, actions, and spiritual practice. Key themes include the superiority of meaningful speech over empty words, the importance of self-conquest over conquering others, and the greater value of honoring the virtuous even briefly over lengthy but meaningless rituals. It also highlights that living a single day with virtue, wisdom, or spiritual insight is better than living a hundred years without such qualities.

  This Sutta emphasizes the importance of consistently doing good and avoiding evil. It teaches that the mind should be restrained from evil and encouraged towards good, as evil actions accumulate suffering while good actions bring happiness. It warns against underestimating the impact of both good and evil deeds, illustrating that like water filling a jar drop by drop, small actions can accumulate significant consequences. The stories highlight that evil returns to harm the doer and that there is no escape from the consequences of one's actions, just as there is no escape from death. The narratives collectively underscore the moral that one should avoid evil, embrace good, and understand the inevitable consequences of their actions.

  The Sutta presents various stories emphasizing non-violence, self-control, and the consequences of one's actions. It teaches that fear of punishment and death is universal, and thus one should not inflict harm on others. Stories highlight the negative outcomes of harming the innocent, including physical and mental suffering, loss, and rebirth in hell. Conversely, positive behaviors like restraint, calmness, and discipline lead to spiritual purity and happiness after death. The overarching message is that wisdom involves controlling oneself, akin to how craftsmen shape their materials.

  This Sutta explores themes of impermanence, suffering, and enlightenment through various stories. It highlights the transient nature of life and the body, using metaphors like a decaying body, worn-out chariots, and old bones to illustrate the inevitability of aging and death. The stories emphasize the futility of worldly pleasures and the importance of seeking wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. The Dhamma, or the teachings of the Tathagata, is portrayed as eternal and unchanging, offering a path to liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. The sutta underscores the contrast between physical decay and the enduring nature of spiritual truth.

  This Sutta emphasizes self-responsibility and self-discipline through various stories. Key points include: guarding oneself if one values oneself (Prince Bodhi), establishing oneself in proper conduct before teaching others (Elder Upananda), acting consistently with one's teachings for self-control (Elder Tissa), self as the ultimate protector (Elder Nun), self-inflicted consequences of one's evil actions (Lay Follower Mahākāla and Devadatta), the difficulty of performing beneficial deeds (Attempt to Split the Saṅgha), the destructive outcome of rejecting wise teachings (Elder Kāla), self-reliance in achieving purity (Lay Follower Cūḷakāla), and focusing on personal welfare and goals (Elder Attadattha). Each narrative underscores that one's actions and discipline define one's fate and purity.

  The Sutta presents various stories emphasizing moral and spiritual teachings. Key points include avoiding negligence, wrong views, and misconduct while practicing Dhamma for a peaceful existence in both this world and the next. It highlights the transient nature of the world, comparing it to illusions like bubbles and mirages, and stresses the importance of wisdom over folly. Transformation from heedlessness to mindfulness is likened to the moon emerging from clouds, illustrating the potential for personal enlightenment. The narratives also underscore the virtues of generosity and truthfulness, condemning greed and deceit. Ultimately, spiritual awakening or 'stream-entry' is deemed superior to worldly achievements or heavenly rewards.

  The Sutta discusses the qualities and teachings of the Tathagata, emphasizing the impossibility of leading or directing one who is free from craving and has infinite range. It highlights the virtues of practice, renunciation, and the cultivation of a pure mind as central to Tathagata's teachings. The sutta also underscores the rarity and significance of a Tathagata's birth and the profound impact of his teachings on individuals and families. It stresses the importance of seeking refuge in the Tathagata, Dhamma, and Sangha, as this leads to understanding the Four Noble Truths and ultimately to freedom from suffering. The sutta concludes by noting the immeasurable merit of honoring those who have transcended suffering and attained enlightenment.

  The Sutta emphasizes the importance of living peacefully and contentedly among those who may not share the same sentiments. It highlights the virtues of living without hatred, anxiety, or attachment, and suggests that true happiness comes from inner peace and contentment rather than external victories or possessions. Key points include the value of health, trust, and contentment as greater than material wealth, and the ultimate happiness found in Nibbāna. It advises associating with wise and noble individuals to lead a joyful and fulfilling life, akin to the serene existence of the gods.

  The Sutta discusses the pitfalls of attachment and the suffering it brings, using various stories to illustrate this theme. It emphasizes that attachment to what is dear, affection, delight, desire, and craving all lead to sorrow and fear. Conversely, freedom from these attachments results in the absence of sorrow and fear. The stories collectively highlight the principle that detachment from desires and pleasures leads to spiritual liberation and peace. Additionally, virtues like good deeds and living according to Dhamma are praised, suggesting that these qualities endear individuals to others and ensure a favorable transition to the afterlife.

  The Sutta on anger includes various stories emphasizing the importance of controlling anger and practicing virtues. Rohinī advocates for transcending pride and attachments to avoid suffering. A disciple likens restraining anger to controlling a swerving chariot, highlighting mastery over one's emotions. Uttarā suggests overcoming anger with non-anger and countering other vices with virtues like generosity and truth. Mahāmoggallāna advises speaking truthfully, avoiding anger, and being generous as pathways to divine realms. Tathagata's father describes sages as harmless and restrained, achieving a state free from grief. Puṇṇā focuses on vigilance and continuous training towards Nibbāna. Atula discusses the inevitability of criticism, noting that wise, virtuous individuals, observed over time, are praised like valuable gold coins. The story of the Group of Six Disciples emphasizes the importance of guarding against misconduct in body, speech, and mind, advocating for a life of good conduct and restraint in all aspects.

  The Sutta emphasizes the importance of self-purification and wisdom as one approaches death, likening life's end to a journey lacking provisions. It advises creating a metaphorical island of wisdom to avoid rebirth and decay. The passage highlights various human flaws—like neglect, laziness, and misconduct—as impurities that lead to negative outcomes, both in this life and beyond. It stresses the destructive nature of passion, hatred, delusion, and craving, and criticizes the tendency to notice others' faults while ignoring one's own. Ultimately, it calls for self-awareness and the elimination of ignorance to achieve a pure, wise life.

  This Sutta outlines various spiritual titles and qualities, emphasizing that true spiritual status is not achieved through superficial attributes or actions. Wisdom, fairness, non-violence, discipline, and understanding are highlighted as essential qualities. For instance, being established in the Dhamma involves discernment and righteousness, not just quick decision-making. Similarly, true elders, nobles, recluses, disciples, and sages are defined by their inner qualities like wisdom, non-enmity, discipline, and understanding of both worlds, rather than by their outward appearances or eloquent speech. The sutta underscores that genuine spiritual life is about embodying the principles of Dhamma and renouncing superficial behaviors.

  The Eightfold Path is the ultimate guide for insight purification, with the Four Noble Truths as the highest truths. Dispassion is the most desirable state, and those with vision excel among humans. This path, which counters Māra's confusion, leads to the cessation of suffering. The Tathagata has shown this path, which eradicates ignorance, but individuals must exert effort themselves. Practitioners can break free from Māra's bonds. Understanding the impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of all phenomena leads to disenchantment with suffering and the path to purity. Various stories illustrate the importance of diligence, wise action, and detachment from worldly attachments to achieve wisdom and liberation.

  The Sutta presents various moral and philosophical teachings through stories: 1. **The Story of One's Own Past Deeds** - Prioritize greater happiness over small pleasures. 2. **The Story of the Egg-Eater** - Causing suffering to others entangles one in hostility. 3. **The Story of the Bhaddiya Disciples** - Mindfulness and diligence in actions reduce defilements, while neglect increases them. 4. **The Story of Lakuṇḍaka Bhaddiya** - Metaphorically, overcoming inner demons (represented as family and warriors) leads to sorrow-free enlightenment. 5. **The Story of the Son of the Cartwright** - Constant mindfulness towards spiritual elements (Tathagata, Dhamma, Sangha, body, non-violence, practice) ensures a state of awakening. 6. **The Story of the Vajjiputta Disciples** - Emphasizes the difficulties of both household life and traveling, suggesting avoidance of suffering. 7. **The Story of Citta the Householder** - Virtue, faith, fame, and wealth bring honor and respect. 8. **The Story of Cūḷasubhaddā** - Virtuous individuals are visible and respected like a mountain, unlike the unvirtuous. 9. **The Story of the Elder Who Lived Alone** - Advocates for solitude and self-discipline in nature for personal growth.

  The Sutta outlines various moral teachings through stories, emphasizing the consequences of misconduct. False speakers and deniers of their actions are equated in their afterlife fate. Those in religious robes with evil deeds, the immoral who misuse alms, and men indulging with another's wife face hellish outcomes. A disciple's poor adherence to monastic life leads to negative repercussions, similar to the consequences of any slack or impure vow. Guarding moral integrity is likened to protecting a city, crucial for avoiding regret and hell. Wrong views, such as misjudging shame, fear, and faults in others, lead to a bad destination, while right views lead to a good one.

  The Nāga Vagga contains several stories emphasizing self-control and wisdom. In "The Story of the Self-Controlled Elephant," enduring harsh words is likened to an elephant enduring arrows in battle, highlighting the virtue of self-taming over physical strength. "The Story of the Former Elephant Trainer Disciple" and others like "The Story of the Novice Sānu" and "The Story of the Elephant in Pāveyyaka" similarly stress the importance of controlling one's mind and actions. "The Story of King Pasenadi of Kosala" warns against laziness and gluttony, illustrating the consequences of indulgence. The collection also values wise companionship as seen in "The Story of Many Disciples," which advises traveling with a wise partner or alone rather than with a fool. Overall, the stories advocate for self-discipline, mindfulness, and the pursuit of wisdom as paths to overcoming suffering and achieving a higher state of being.

  Craving is likened to a vine that grows unchecked in heedless individuals, leading to increased sorrow. Overcoming craving, which is challenging, leads to the shedding of sorrows. The sutta emphasizes the importance of removing the root of craving with wisdom to prevent recurring suffering. Craving binds individuals like strong bonds, harder to escape than physical restraints. Those who conquer craving achieve freedom from rebirth and suffering, becoming unattached and fearless. The teachings advocate for the release of past, present, and future attachments and highlight the superiority of spiritual gifts and wisdom over worldly pleasures and attachments. Wealth and desires, if not managed, can lead to destruction, while offerings to those free from worldly desires yield significant benefits.

  The Sutta emphasizes the virtues of restraint and mindfulness for disciples, advocating for control over senses, speech, and desires to achieve freedom from suffering. Disciples are encouraged to focus on wisdom, practice, and understanding of the Dhamma, which leads to joy, peace, and ultimately Nibbāna. Key practices include avoiding envy, cultivating loving-kindness, and living purely with good companions. The ultimate goal is to transcend worldly attachments and live tranquilly, shedding passions like withered petals, to attain a state of calm and protection through self-discipline.

  A Brahmin is defined not by birth or external appearances but by virtues such as truth, righteousness, and purity. True Brahmins are those who have transcended desires, attachments, and suffering through practice, discipline, and understanding of the Dhamma. They are characterized by their ability to endure hardships without anger, live without possessions, and maintain a calm and composed demeanor. The sutta emphasizes that a Brahmin shines through practice and wisdom, and is revered for their spiritual accomplishments rather than their lineage or material wealth. The essence of being a Brahmin lies in inner purity, wisdom, and the attainment of the highest spiritual goals.

  An exposition by the venerable Mahākaccāyana how the foundation of the teaching is established.

  The Peṭakopadesa, a scripture, elaborates on the four jhānas and their distinct qualities, which form the basis of these states. Each jhāna is characterized by specific factors such as joy, equanimity, and mindfulness, which evolve through practice. The sutta also discusses the "jhāna ground," which varies across the four jhānas, reflecting different mental states and conditions like seclusion and equanimity. Additionally, it addresses the drawbacks of improper practice, which can lead to a decline in jhāna quality and strength. The supporting conditions for successful jhāna practice include good companionship and diligent effort. The sutta emphasizes the cultivation of qualities like loving-kindness and equanimity to develop a stable and insightful practice.

  This sutta outlines various forms of wisdom and knowledge, emphasizing different aspects of enlightenment and spiritual development. It categorizes wisdom into multiple types, each associated with specific knowledge, such as wisdom in listening, restraint, concentration, discernment, and reflection, among others. This Sutta also discusses the attainment of higher states of consciousness and liberation, including the cessation of suffering and the realization of Nibbāna. It concludes by listing seventy-three kinds of knowledge, distinguishing between those common to all disciples and those unique to certain practitioners, affirming the comprehensive nature of the teachings.

  Sariputta gives a detailed exposition regarding the discourse on knowledge.

  Sariputta gives a detailed exposition on Views.

  Sariputta gives a detailed exposition regarding mindfulness of breathing, the Anapanasati Sutta.

  Detailed Exposition on the Five Faculties

  Sariputta gives a detailed exposition regarding liberation

  In the attainment of destinies, rebirth is influenced by eight causes associated with knowledge. These causes apply to various beings including the great Khattiya, Brahmin, householder families, and deities of the sensual, form, and formless realms. The conditions for rebirth involve the interaction of wholesome and unwholesome roots, volition, and phenomena such as the five aggregates, four great elements, and mentality-materiality, which co-arise and depend on each other. Additionally, beings born in a good destination without knowledge have their rebirth determined by six specific causes.

  This Sutta explores various scenarios of karma (actions) and their consequences across past, present, and future. It distinguishes between different types of karma: wholesome, unwholesome, blameworthy, blameless, dark, bright, and those leading to happiness or suffering. Each type of karma is analyzed for whether it results in a corresponding outcome or not. The discourse systematically considers the presence or absence of results for each karma type, emphasizing the complexity and variability of karmic outcomes.

  This Sutta discusses four distortions and their corresponding non-distortions in perception, mind, and view. The distortions involve seeing the impermanent as permanent, suffering as happiness, non-self as self, and the impure as pure. Conversely, the non-distortions correctly perceive these qualities as they truly are. This Sutta emphasizes that those with distorted views suffer from misunderstanding and are bound by delusion, whereas those who see reality as it is, guided by the teachings of Tathagatas, can overcome suffering and achieve enlightenment. The discourse concludes by noting that certain distortions are abandoned by those with right view, leading to a cessation of suffering.

  This Sutta discusses the concept of the "path", emphasizing its role in achieving spiritual enlightenment and cessation of defilements. Key elements of the path include right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Each of these elements serves as both a path and a cause for abandoning their wrongful counterparts, supporting co-arisen phenomena, purifying the mind, and realizing truths. The path is also linked to various stages of spiritual attainment, including stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arahantship. Additionally, the sutta connects the path to faculties, powers, and factors of enlightenment, highlighting its comprehensive role in leading to ultimate liberation, Nibbana.

  Venerable Ānanda gives a discourse on the four types of paths to liberation.

  An exposition on the Four Noble Truths.

  Sariputta gives a detailed exposition regarding the factors of Enlightment.

  Discourse on the benefits of practicing Loving Kindness.

  Dispassion is described as the path leading to liberation, with liberation being the ultimate fruit. Dispassion involves a detachment from wrong views, intentions, speech, actions, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration, aligning instead with their right counterparts as defined by the Noble Eightfold Path. This path, superior to those of other ascetics and brahmins, leads to Nibbāna, characterized by a complete dispassion towards defilements and aggregates. Liberation, achieved through this path, entails freedom from these defilements and aggregates, established in the state of Nibbāna. Both dispassion and liberation are essential for achieving the ultimate goal in the practice.

  The Discourse on Analytical Knowledge

  The discourse on the Dhamma wheel.

  This Sutta identifies various practices and states, including the four foundations of mindfulness, the noble eightfold path, and Nibbāna, as supramundane because they transcend worldly existence. These phenomena are described as surpassing, going beyond, rising above, overcoming, escaping, being liberated from, and being untainted by the world. They are characterized as not being attached to, bound by, or remaining in the world, emphasizing their transcendent nature. The discourse concludes by affirming that these practices and states are beyond worldly concerns and are thus transcendent.

  The discourse on powers, the five strengths.

  The discourse on emptiness.

  The great discourse on wisdom.

  There are four bases, four supports, eight factors, and sixteen roots for supernormal power.

  The importance of penetrating the Dharma with the mind.

  The importance of developing seclusion on the path in regards to virtue, tranquility and wisdom.

  The "Paṭisambhidāmagga" discusses eight types of conduct essential for spiritual development: conduct in bodily postures, sense bases, mindfulness, concentration, knowledge, the path, attainment, and benefiting the world. Each type targets specific practices such as maintaining four bodily postures, managing six sense bases, adhering to four foundations of mindfulness, achieving four jhānas, understanding the four noble truths, following the four noble paths, realizing the four fruits of recluseship, and embodying the virtues of enlightened beings like Tathāgatas and Arahants. Additional sets of conduct emphasize practicing through qualities like faith, energy, and wisdom, and aligning actions with aspects of the noble eightfold path such as right view and right intention.

  The discourse outlines three types of miracles recognized in the teachings: the miracle of psychic power, the miracle of telepathy, and the miracle of instruction. The miracle of psychic power involves extraordinary abilities such as multiplying oneself and mastering physical forms up to celestial realms. The miracle of telepathy encompasses reading and declaring the thoughts of others accurately, whether through signs, sounds, or direct mental comprehension. The miracle of instruction involves guiding others on how to think, focus, and behave spiritually. These miracles emphasize the power of mental discipline and the importance of mindfulness and renunciation in achieving spiritual purity and overcoming mental defilements. This Sutta concludes by affirming the transformative power of these practices in guiding individuals toward spiritual enlightenment.

  This Sutta discusses the complete eradication and cessation of all phenomena through wisdom, focusing on various aspects such as the five aggregates, sense bases, and elements. It details the process of eradicating and ceasing defilements like sensual desire, ill-will, and ignorance through specific antidotes like renunciation, non-ill-will, and knowledge. Achieving these states prevents the re-arising of such defilements. This Sutta also describes thirteen "heads" representing different aspects of spiritual progress, including craving, bondage, and insight, culminating in liberation and cessation.

  The Discourse on the Establishments of Mindfulness, originating in Sāvatthi, teaches four main practices: contemplating the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena, each within themselves. Practitioners are to observe these aspects as impermanent, suffering, and non-self, thereby removing covetousness and grief. This mindfulness leads to dispassion and cessation of attachment. The discourse emphasizes the importance of seeing the transient and unsatisfactory nature of all phenomena to cultivate detachment and deeper understanding, using mindfulness as both the method and foundation of practice.

  The Discourse on Insight, delivered by the Blessed One at Sāvatthī, emphasizes the importance of perception in achieving spiritual progress. Disciples are taught that perceiving formations as impermanent, suffering, and non-self leads to acceptance in conformity, certainty of rightness, and ultimately, the realization of significant spiritual states such as stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arahantship. Conversely, perceiving formations as permanent, pleasurable, or self obstructs these spiritual achievements. The discourse outlines that there are forty ways to acquire conformity knowledge and enter the certainty of rightness, primarily through recognizing the impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of the five aggregates. This understanding is crucial for attaining higher spiritual fruits and ultimately, Nibbāna.

  The Paṭisambhidāmagga discusses various aspects of practice and enlightenment, focusing on themes like renunciation, liberation, and wisdom. Key concepts include achieving fulfillment and liberation through renunciation and the absence of sensual desires, and attaining higher states of virtue, mind, and wisdom through practices like goodwill, concentration, and insight. This Sutta emphasizes the interconnectedness of knowledge and freedom, where true understanding leads to liberation, and being liberated enhances understanding. It also outlines the purification and calming of the mind and virtues through specific practices leading to the path of arahantship, which is the ultimate goal of being free from all defilements. This Sutta concludes with the importance of development, determination, and right livelihood in approaching spiritual and communal engagements wisely and equitably.

  The Metta Sutta emphasizes the qualities and behaviors of those skilled in goodness and peace. It advocates for being upright, gentle, humble, content, and calm, avoiding actions criticized by the wise. It calls for universal loving-kindness, urging respect and non-harm towards all beings, regardless of their state or proximity. This Sutta encourages a boundless, compassionate heart, akin to a mother's protection for her child, and constant mindfulness. It concludes that by relinquishing fixed views and sensory attachments, one can escape the cycles of suffering.

  The Cunda Sutta recounts the Tathagata's visit to Pāvā, where he stayed in Cunda the smith's son's mango grove. Cunda offered the Tathagata and his disciples a meal, which included tender pork. After the meal, the Tathagata instructed Cunda to bury the leftover pork, stating that no one else could properly digest it except the Tathāgata. Following the meal, the Tathagata experienced a severe, life-threatening illness but remained mindful and aware. He then decided to travel to Kusinārā. During this journey, miraculous events occurred, such as a muddy river becoming clear. The sutta also addresses potential remorse Cunda might feel for his meal being the Tathagata's last, reassuring him of the great merit of his offering, comparing it to the meal taken before the Tathagata's enlightenment. The sutta concludes with the Tathagata's words on the growth of merit through giving and the peace that comes from abandoning greed, hatred, and delusion.