old-path-white-clouds-thich-nhat-hanh

The Buddha asked the Venerable Anuruddha to perform the ordination ceremony right then and there. Subhadda was the last disciple
received by the Buddha.
After Subhadda’s head was shaved, he received the precepts and was given a robe and bowl. The Buddha then looked at all the
bhikkhus sitting around him. Many bhikkhus from the vicinity had arrived and so there were now nearly five hundred. The Buddha spoke to
them.
“Bhikkhus! If you have any doubts or perplexity concerning the teaching, now is the time to ask the Tathagata about it. Don’t let this
opportunity pass by, so that later you will reproach yourselves, saying, ‘That day I was face to face with the Buddha but I did not ask
him.’”
The Buddha repeated these words three times, but no bhikkhu spoke.
Venerable Ananda exclaimed, “Lord, it is truly wonderful! I have faith in the community of bhikkhus. I have faith in the sangha. Everyone
has clearly understood your teaching. No one has any doubts or perplexity about your teaching and the path to realize it.”
The Buddha said, “Ananda, you speak from faith, while the Tathagata has direct knowledge. The Tathagata knows that all the bhikkhus
here possess deep faith in the Three Gems. Even the lowest attainment among these bhikkhus is that of Stream-Enterer.”
The Buddha looked quietly over the community and then said, “Bhikkhus, listen to what the Tathagata now says. Dharmas are
impermanent. If there is birth, there is death. Be diligent in your efforts to attain liberation!”
The Buddha closed his eyes. He had spoken his last words. The earth shook. Sal blossoms fell like rain. Everyone felt their minds and
bodies tremble. They knew the Buddha had passed into nirvana.
Reader, please put your book down here and breathe lightly for a few minutes before continuing.
The Buddha had passed away. Some bhikkhus threw up their arms and flung themselves on the ground. They wailed, “The Buddha has
passed away! The Lord has died! The eyes of the world are no more! Who can we take refuge in now?”
While these bhikkhus cried and thrashed about, other bhikkhus sat silently, observing their breath and contemplating the things the
Buddha had taught them. Venerable Anuruddha spoke up, “Brothers, do not cry so pitifully! The Lord Buddha taught us that with birth
there is death, with arising there is dissolving, with coming together there is separation. If you understand and follow the Buddha’s teaching,
you will cease to make such a disturbance. Please sit up again and follow your breathing. We will maintain silence.”
Everyone returned to his place and followed Venerable Anuruddha’s counsel. He led them in reciting sutras they all knew by heart which
spoke about impermanence, emptiness of self, non-attachment, and liberation. Calm dignity was restored.
The Mallas lit torches. Sounds of chanting echoed impressively in the dark night as everyone placed his full awareness on the words in
the sutras. After a lengthy recitation, Venerable Anuruddha gave a Dharma talk. He praised the Buddha’s attainments—his wisdom,
compassion, virtue, concentration, joy, and equanimity. When Venerable Anuruddha finished speaking, Venerable Ananda recounted
beautiful episodes from the Buddha’s life. Throughout the night, the two venerables took turns speaking. The five hundred bhikkhus and
three hundred lay disciples listened quietly. As torches burned down, new ones were lit to take their places until dawn broke.