SN47.13 — At one time, the Blessed One was residing at Savatthi in the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika. At that time, Venerable Sariputta was residing in the Magadha region at Nalakagama, afflicted and suffering from a severe illness. Cunda, the disciple of the Blessed One, was the attendant of Venerable Sariputta.
Then, Venerable Sariputta passed away due to that very affliction. Cunda, the disciple of the Blessed One, took the alms bowl and robe of Venerable Sariputta and went to Savatthi, to the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika, where he approached Venerable Ananda. Upon approaching, he saluted Venerable Ananda and sat down to one side.
As he sat down to one side, Cunda, the disciple of the Blessed One, spoke to Venerable Ananda: Venerable Sir, Sariputta has attained Parinibbana. This is his alms bowl. Venerable Ananda replied, There is indeed, friend Cunda, a matter to be discussed with the Blessed One. Let us go to the Blessed One, and upon reaching him, we will inform him of this matter.
Very well, Venerable Sir, Cunda the disciple of the Blessed One replied. Then, Venerable Ananda and Cunda the disciple of the Blessed One went to the Blessed One. Upon reaching him, they saluted the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
As they sat down to one side, Venerable Ananda spoke to the Blessed One: This is Cunda the disciple of the Blessed One, who has said, Venerable Sir, Sariputta has attained Parinibbana; this is his alms bowl. Venerable Ananda continued, But, Venerable Sir, my body feels like a sweet fruit, my limbs do not feel heavy, and the Dhamma does not repel me upon hearing that Venerable Sariputta has attained Parinibbana.
The Blessed One asked, What, Ananda, did Sariputta attain Parinibbana having taken with him the aggregates of virtue, or the aggregates of concentration, or the aggregates of wisdom, or the aggregates of liberation, or the aggregates of the knowing and vision of liberation?
Venerable Ananda replied, No, Venerable Sir, Venerable Sariputta did not attain Parinibbana having taken with him the aggregates of virtue, or the aggregates of concentration, or the aggregates of wisdom, or the aggregates of liberation, or the aggregates of the knowing and vision of liberation. Moreover, Venerable Sir, Venerable Sariputta was a teacher, a guide, a clear teacher, a motivator, an inspirer, a comforter, and a supporter of his fellow practitioners. We will remember the Dhamma, the Dhammas benefits, and the Dhammas support of Venerable Sariputta.
Indeed, Ananda, I have directly stated that there is a difference, a non-difference, and an alternative state regarding all that is dear and pleasing. Where can that be found, Ananda? Whatever is born, come into being, conditioned, and a phenomenon of the world, do not let it be lost: there is no place for that.
Just as, Ananda, if a great tree were to stand tall and strong, if a larger branch were to break off, it would be lost; in the same way, Ananda, the great community of disciples, standing tall and strong, would be lost if Sariputta were to pass away. Where can that be found, Ananda? Whatever is born, come into being, conditioned, and a phenomenon of the world, do not let it be lost: there is no place for that.
Therefore, Ananda, dwell as your own light, as your own refuge, not seeking refuge in others; be a light in the Dhamma, a refuge in the Dhamma, not seeking refuge in others.
How, Ananda, does a disciple dwell as his own light, as his own refuge, not seeking refuge in others, a light in the Dhamma, a refuge in the Dhamma, not seeking refuge in others? Here, Ananda, a disciple dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having subdued covetousness and displeasure in the world; he dwells contemplating feelings in feelings... in the mind... in phenomena, contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having subdued covetousness and displeasure in the world.
Thus, Ananda, a disciple dwells as his own light, as his own refuge, not seeking refuge in others, a light in the Dhamma, a refuge in the Dhamma, not seeking refuge in others.
For those who, Ananda, now or in the future, will dwell as their own light, as their own refuge, not seeking refuge in others, a light in the Dhamma, a refuge in the Dhamma, not seeking refuge in others; they will be, Ananda, disciples who wish to train.