During this period, Shakyamuni fell gravely ill but, thinking it wrong for him to die without giving his followers final instructions, resolved to overcome the sickness by strong effort and by being mindful and thoughtful. He did so and thus prolonged his life for a while.

When Shakyamuni had recovered, Ananda said to him, “World-honored One, I have seen you in good health and fine condition. But when you were sick, I did not know what to do. Everything before my eyes went dark; my faculties were upset. But I took some small comfort from the idea that you would not leave the world without parting from the monks.”

Shakyamuni replied, “Ananda, what can the monks expect of me? I have taught them everything, both the esoteric and the exoteric, for the Tathagata is not the kind of teacher who conceals things from his followers. If I felt that I should lead the Order or that the Order was dependent on me, I would have something to say. But I do not feel that way. Why then should I make pronouncements?

“Moreover, Ananda, I am old and frail. I am eighty. Like an old cart that can only be kept in operation by the help of leather thongs, the body of the Tathagata can only be kept going with much help. Only when I am in the deep state of meditation where I am free of all suffering and entertain no thoughts about anything is my body at rest. Therefore, Ananda, you must all be lamps unto yourselves. You must rely on yourselves and on no one else. You must make the Law your light and your support and rely on nothing else.”

This was Shakyamuni’s way of saying that the most important things for Buddhists are these: (1) To meditate mindfully and thoughtfully on the four insights that the body is impure, perception leads to suffering, the mind is impermanent, and the world is transient and in this way to eliminate the suffering and craving arising from these four things. This teaching is known as the four insights. (2) To be a lamp unto oneself by first raising one’s spiritual level through relying on the lamp of the Law in the form of these basic teachings (that the body is impure, that perception leads to suffering, that the mind is impermanent, and that the world is transient) and then relying on oneself in further deepening and elevating one’s level of understanding and religious practice.

Shakyamuni concluded his teaching on this point in this way: “Ananda, now or after my death, of all those who are willing to study, the people who are a lamp and support to themselves, who rely on no one else, who employ the Law as a lamp and a support and call on nothing else shall reach the ultimate height.” (Page 179-181)