Series at Spirit Rock, online.
5 Thursdays, June 18 - July 16, 2026 | 4:00-6:00pm PT

Read the magnificent story of the end of the Buddha’s life, the source for some of our most beloved teachings.

In the final spring of his life, the elderly Buddha walked miles with his friends and students, heading toward his birthplace of Kapilavatthu. He wouldn’t make it home, dying in a grove of trees near a small village. Throughout the journey he taught students of all levels, and prepared the Saṅgha to thrive in his absence. “The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment” (DN 16) is the longest single discourse in the Pāli Canon, and we’ll dive into this magnificent teaching story, a gem of ancient South Asian literature, and a source for some of our most beloved teachings.

While beginners are welcome, this class will be most relevant for practitioners with some experience in meditation. The class is part of our ongoing Pāli Canon study series, “The Refuge of Dhamma: Exploring the Buddha’s Discourses.” Each class includes significant supplemental materials, guided meditations, and group discussion of the text.