SN47.13 — Linked Discourses 47.13

26 September 2026

SN47.13 — Linked Discourses 47.13

2. Nālanda

With Cunda

At one time the Tathāgata was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

At that time Venerable Sāriputta was staying in the Magadhan lands at the village of Nālaka, and he was sick, suffering, and gravely ill.

And the novice Cunda was Venerable Sāriputta’s attendant.

Then Venerable Sāriputta attained final extinguishment from that very illness.

Then taking Venerable Sāriputta’s bowl and robes, the novice Cunda went to Sāvatthī, to Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery, and approached Venerable Ānanda. He bowed to Venerable Ānanda, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Sir, Venerable Sāriputta has attained final extinguishment.

Here are his bowl and robes.

Venerable Cunda, this is certainly a reason to see the Tathāgata.

Come, Venerable Cunda, let us go to the Tathāgata and inform him about this matter.

Yes, sir, replied the novice Cunda to Venerable Ānanda.

Then Venerable Ānanda and the novice Cunda went to the Tathāgata, bowed, sat down to one side, and Venerable Ānanda said to him:

Sir, this novice Cunda said to me:

Sir, Venerable Sāriputta has attained final extinguishment, here are his bowl and robes.

Since hearing that Venerable Sāriputta has attained final extinguishment, sir, my body feels numb, I have lost my bearings, and the teachings are no longer clear to me.

But Ānanda, when Sāriputta attained final extinguishment, did he take away your aggregate of virtue, or your aggregate of concentration, or your aggregate of wisdom, or your aggregate of liberation, or your aggregate of the knowing and vision of liberation?

No, sir, when Venerable Sāriputta attained final extinguishment, he did not take away my aggregate of virtue, or my aggregate of concentration ...

or my aggregate of wisdom ...

or my aggregate of liberation ...

or my aggregate of the knowing and vision of liberation.

However, sir, Venerable Sāriputta was an advisor and counselor; he instructed, urged, roused, and encouraged me. He was tireless in teaching the Dhamma, and he was a helper to his spiritual companions.

We remember Venerable Sāriputta's nourishing Dhamma, his wealth of Dhamma, and his support through the Dhamma.

But Ānanda, have I not already pointed out to you that there is alteration, separation, and change in all that is dear and beloved? How could it possibly be otherwise? That which is born, has come to be, is conditioned, and subject to falling apart:to say: May it not fall apart! this is simply not possible.

Ānanda, it is just as if the largest branch were to fall off a great, stable heartwood tree; in the same way, Sāriputta has attained final extinguishment from this great, stable heartwood community of disciples.

How could it possibly be otherwise? That which is born, has come to be, is conditioned, and subject to falling apart, to say: May it not fall apart! this is simply not possible.

Therefore, Ānanda, live with yourself as your own island, yourself as your own refuge, with no other refuge; with the teaching as your island, the teaching as your refuge, with no other refuge.

And how does a disciple live with himself as his own island, himself as his own refuge, with no other refuge; with the teaching as his island, the teaching as his refuge, with no other refuge?

It is when a disciple contemplates by dwelling body in body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having removed craving and aversion for the world;

when he contemplates by dwelling feelings in feelings ...

when he contemplates by dwelling mind in mind ...

when he contemplates by dwelling Dhamma in Dhamma, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having removed craving and aversion for the world.

That is how a disciple lives with himself as his own island, himself as his own refuge, with no other refuge; with the teaching as his island, the teaching as his refuge, with no other refuge.

Whether now or after I have passed away, any disciples who live with themselves as their own island, themselves as their own refuge, with no other refuge; with the teaching as their island, the teaching as their refuge, with no other refuge, it is those disciples of mine who are eager to train who will reach the highest state.