Part 26 - Thirty-seven Factors of the Perpetuation of the Teaching

Then the Buddha went to the assembly hall, took His seat prepared for Him, and addressed the bhikkhus as follows:

“Bhikkhus, the doctrines which I have perceived through Magga-insight and which I have expounded to you should be mastered, resorted to, cultivated, put to constant practice. If you master, resort to, cultivate and constantly practise these doctrines, this Teaching, which is the practice of Purity, will endure long and perpetuate itself, thus making for the welfare of mankind, the preservation of the world, the benefit, wellbeing and happiness of devas and humans. These doctrines are:

(a) the Four Methods of Steadfast Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna);

(b) the Four Supreme Efforts (Sammapadāna);

(c) the Four Bases of Psychic Power (Iddhipāda);

(d) the Five Faculties (Indriya);

(e) the Five Powers (Bala);

(f) the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhaṅga);

(g) the Ariya Path of Eight Constituents (Ariya-magga);

[These are the Thirty-Seven Constituents of Enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiya).]

“Bhikkhus, these thirty-seven doctrines (Constituents of Enlightenment) which I have perceived through magga-insight and which I have expounded to you should be mastered, resorted to, cultivated, and put to constant practice. If you master, resort to, cultivate and constantly practise these doctrines, this Teaching, which is the Practice of Purity, will endure long and perpetuate itself, thus making for the welfare of mankind, the preservation of the world, the benefit, wellbeing and happiness of devas and humans.”

Then the Buddha further said to the bhikkhus:

“Now, look bhikkhus, I exhort you: Decay is inherent in all compounded things, physical or mental. With mindfulness and diligence strive (towards the goal of liberation). The Parinibbāna of the Tathāgata will take place before long: three months hence the Tathāgata will realize Parinibbāna.”

Having said this, the Buddha further spoke these words (in verse):

My age is now quite ripe (having, turned eighty).
Only a little (just three months) of My life remains.
I shall have to depart, leaving you behind.
I have made a refuge of Myself.

“Bhikkhus, never be forgetful, be possessed of mindfulness, be pure in morality. Keep your mind collected, think right, and watch your mind ever closely against defilements.

“Bhikkhus, in this Teaching, (the Doctrine and Discipline) he who remains holding fast the Good Doctrine will be able to get rid of the cycle of rebirths and make an end of all ills (dukkha).”