388. The same introduction as in the previous one:

        Having thus taken his seat, the Venerable Bhadda addressed the Venerable Ananda thus: "Friend Ananda, what would be the reason for the Excellent Teaching¹ not long after the passing away into Parinibbana of the Tathagata? And Friend Ananda, what would the cause, what would be the reason for the excellent Teaching not enduring long after the passing away into parinibbana of the Tathagata?"
(1. Excellent Teaching: saddhamma: Here it means the Teaching leading to arahatship.)

        Good, good, friend Bhadda; it is good that you have an enquiring mind; it is good that you have sharp intelligence; it is good that you have put, a question for discussion. Friend Bhadda, did you not ask me, "Friend Ananda, what would be the cause, what would be the reason for the Excellent Teaching not enduring long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana; and friend Ananda, what would be the cause, what would be the reason for the Excellent Teaching enduring long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana?"

        "Yes, I did, Friend".

        Friend, it is because of not cultivating the Four methods of Steadfast Mindfulness and not practising them many times that the Excellent Teaching does not endure long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana and friend, it is because of cultivating the Four Methods of Steadfast Mindfulness and practising them many times that the Excellent Teaching endures long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana.

        And what are the Four? In this Teaching, friend, the bhikkhu keeps his mind steadfastly on the body, with diligence, comprehension and mindfulness, thus keeping away covetousness and distress in the five khandhas .. on sensation . . p... on mind ...p... on mind-objects, with diligence, comprehension and mindfulness, thus keeping away covetousness and distress in the five khandhas. Friend, it is because of not cultivating these Four Methods of Steadfast Mindfulness and not practising them many times that the Excellent teaching does not endure long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana. And it is because of cultivating these Four Methods of Steadfast mindfulness and practising them many times that the Excellent Teaching endures long after the passing away of the Tathagata into parinibbana.

End of the Ciratthiti Sutta,

the second in this Vagga.

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