The Maha Parinirvana Sutra contains a fairly detailed account of the Buddha's last months of his earthly life. It follows him step by step -- where he went, who he met, how he discoursed, what teaching he gave. By the time he embarked on his last journey he knew he was going to pass away. Being the Enlightened One, he remained calm, reflecting on his last words, his last teaching.

Excerpted from the talk The Tantric Symbolism of the Stupa by Sangharakshita,1972.

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