This chapter returns to stories from the Buddha's life, focusing on events near the end of his journey. It serves as a reminder of those who have lost their way, contrasting their struggles with the Buddha's unwavering way of practice to enlightenment. These discourses offer a reflective view on the later stages of the Buddha's life and the enduring lessons of his teachings.
Jaccandhavagga - The Chapter on Blind From Birth
After Ānanda misses the sign to request the Buddha to remain, Māra reminds the Buddha of his promise to pass away now that the Dhamma and spiritual life are well established. The Buddha relinquishes the life force after weighing the incomparable and continued existence.
The Buddha explains to King Pasenadi of Kosala how to recognize the character of another person.
The Buddha reviews the multitude of harmful and unwholesome mental qualities he has abandoned, and the multitude of wholesome mental qualities he has developed to completion.
“An elephant is like this, an elephant is not like that.” The Buddha compares quarreling ascetics to blind men touching an elephant, illustrating how those who see only one aspect inevitably stab each other with pointed words.
“Pleasure and pain, the self, and the world are self-created; only this is true, anything else is wrong.” As sightless wanderers dispute such views, stabbing each other with pointed words, the Buddha notes how such debaters sink down midway without reaching the firm ground.
“The self and the world are self-created.” As sightless wanderers vehemently defend their views, the Buddha reveals the hidden dart of their disputes, noting that a generation engaged in I-making cannot go beyond cyclic existence.
Venerable Subhūti is sitting in meditation posture, aligning his body upright, having entered collectedness free of thinking. The Blessed One sees this and expresses an inspired utterance.
On hearing about two factions infatuated with a courtesan, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on the extremes - one of taking rules and observances as the essence and the other of seeing no fault in sensual pleasures.
The Buddha observes moths drawn to the light of oil lamps, and reflects on the nature of attachment.
“The glowworm shines only so long, as the sun has not yet risen.” The Buddha shares this inspired utterance after venerable Ānanda observes that other sects receive honor and support only until perfectly Awakened Ones arise in the world.