Date: 01/25/2025 01/26/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
The Feast That Will Not Last
In the three months before the Buddha’s death at the age of 80, Venerable Sariputra returned to his birthplace, the village of Nara in the Magadha region, and took residence there. He fell seriously ill and passed away, entering Nirvana. His attendant, the novice Chunda, arranged for Venerable Sariputra’s funeral and, carrying his robes, bell, and the cremated remains, came to the Jeta Grove in Shravasti to report to Venerable Ananda, saying:
“Great Venerable! My teacher, Venerable Sariputra, has entered Nirvana. I have brought his remains, his robes, and his bell, all of which are here.”
Upon hearing this, Venerable Ananda was deeply sorrowful. He led the novice Chunda to meet the Buddha and said to the Buddha:
“World-Honored One! The novice Chunda says that Venerable Sariputra has entered Nirvana. Upon hearing this news, my grief is as if my body is about to be torn apart. My head feels dizzy, my eyes are blurry, and my mind is in turmoil. I cannot make use of any of the teachings I have learned.”
The Buddha asked Venerable Ananda:
“Ananda, when Sariputra entered Nirvana, did he take with him the ‘precepts, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and liberation knowledge and vision’? Did the teachings I have given since my enlightenment, such as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Four Right Efforts, the Four Divine Abidings, the Five Roots, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Noble Eightfold Path, disappear with Sariputra’s Nirvana?”
Venerable Ananda answered:
“No, not at all! However, with Venerable Sariputra’s diligent practice and wisdom, when he was present, he could teach according to the different capacities of people, and often praised and encouraged them. It is because of the absence of his guidance that those who had received his teachings are now feeling sorrowful and distressed.”
The Buddha then spoke to Venerable Ananda:
“Ananda, do not be sorrowful and distressed. Why? Because all conditioned phenomena, which arise from causes and conditions, are impermanent and subject to decay. How could they not disintegrate? Everything we love will eventually leave us; nothing can be kept forever.
For example, a large tree first loses its big branches; a great mountain collapses from its massive rocks. Similarly, disciples of the Tathagata, such as great arhats, also enter Nirvana first. When Sariputra was present, he could teach the Dharma and guide the people. His presence was like mine; it brought peace and ease. However, all things that we find agreeable will eventually disperse. Do not allow sorrow to harm you because of their separation.
Ananda, you should know that even the Tathagata will eventually enter Nirvana. Therefore, Ananda, you should regard yourself as your own refuge, and regard the Dharma as your refuge. Beyond this, there is no other true refuge or guiding light. How can you make yourself your own refuge? What kind of Dharma is the true refuge?
Ananda, you should abide in the practice of mindfulness and correct observation of the body, feelings, thoughts, and mental objects. Whether these are internal, external, or a combination of both, approach them with a sincere attitude, clear awareness, and careful mindfulness to tame the world’s attachment and sorrow. This is to rely on yourself and the Dharma, not on anything else.
Ananda, whether now or after I enter Nirvana, those who are able to rely on themselves, to take themselves as a refuge, and to rely on the Dharma as a refuge, without relying on anything else, are the most diligent practitioners among my disciples.”
