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The Testament of the Self and the Dharma of the World-Honored One
During the Uposatha Full Moon Ceremony at the mango grove by the Batala River, the Buddha (at the age of eighty) recounted his final journey through three villages before crossing the Ganges—Pataligama, Kotigama, and Nadika—where he gave teachings to the monastic assembly, the ministers of Magadha, and the villagers, and then arrived at Vaishali, where he fell gravely ill. When it seemed he might enter nirvana, he still maintained his breath, regulated body and mind, and affirmed a strong will to live that helped to transform suffering. Venerable Ananda, confused and anxious about the Buddha’s illness, nevertheless kept his faith because he had not yet received the final farewell, and was reminded that true inner peace cannot be disturbed by external circumstances.
“Island of self”—taking refuge in oneself, in the island within; taking refuge in the Dharma, taking refuge in the Dharma as one’s island—is the essence of the Discourse on the Island of Self. To rely on this inner island, one must practice the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of feelings, mindfulness of mind, and mindfulness of objects of mind, right in the breath. All conditioned things are impermanent; what is born will die, so do not rely on wealth, fame, or physical form; only mindfulness and the true Dharma are a solid refuge. At the end of the discourse, the Teacher also reminded that the monastic establishment needs:
- A separate office and records, including certificates of taking refuge and precepts in multiple languages.
- An updated list of monks and nuns, periodically certified by the monasteries.
- A list of friends (both Vietnamese and foreigners) to maintain community connection.