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The Last Words of The Buddha?

MatSaltedMatSalted
edited January 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hi

I am familiar with the proposed last words of the Buddha from the Maha Parinibbana Sutta:

"All compund things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"

or

"Everything is subject to change. Remember to practise the teachings earnestly."


There are many variants of this in my Dharma books and on the internet but what I would like some help with is the quite common idea that the Last words of The Buddha where:

"Doubt everything. Be your own light."

I cant find any reference to there in the Tripitaka.

Can anyone tell me where this other "Last Words" comes from please?

Thanks:)

Mat

Comments

  • NamelessRiverNamelessRiver Veteran
    edited January 2010
    "Doubt everything. Be your own light."

    We had a thread similar to this one some time ago. As I recall it was inconclusive.
  • ValtielValtiel Veteran
    edited January 2010
    Read that very sutra and you will see what was twisted to form that misquote. I would grab the actual quote but am on a phone ATM. Just search "islands."
  • MatSaltedMatSalted
    edited January 2010
    o0Mundus-Vult-Decipi0o wrote: »
    Read that very sutra and you will see what was twisted to form that misquote. I would grab the actual quote but am on a phone ATM. Just search "islands."

    I have the MP Suttra in my hands. I'm not asking which is right but where the other comes from:)
  • ValtielValtiel Veteran
    edited January 2010
    I have the MP Suttra in my hands. I'm not asking which is right but where the other comes from

    Mat, I tried to answer you as clearly as possible but it's difficult on a phone. I understand what you asked and I answered to the best of my abilitity:

    The quote you are looking for does not exist, it is uncited. It's often found on popular generic quotation websites. As I tried to explain, it is most likely someone's interpretation of a quote which comes from the Maha Parinibbana Sutta (DN 16) itself: "Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge."

    And likely a bit of interpretation from the Kalama sutta is thrown in there as well. But the word-for-word quote you're seeking does not have a source; rather, its a general message that others have interpreted from various quotations that are actually attributed to the Buddha, and this misquote has developed over time. I hope this helps.
  • MatSaltedMatSalted
    edited January 2010
    o0Mundus-Vult-Decipi0o wrote: »
    Mat, I tried to answer you as clearly as possible but it's difficult on a phone. I understand what you asked and I answered to the best of my abilitity:

    The quote you are looking for does not exist, it is uncited. It's often found on popular generic quotation websites. As I tried to explain, it is most likely someone's interpretation of a quote which comes from the Maha Parinibbana Sutta (DN 16) itself: "Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge."

    And likely a bit of interpretation from the Kalama sutta is thrown in there as well. But the word-for-word quote you're seeking does not have a source. I hope this helps.


    Thank's, that makes senses and it as I expected:)
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