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Buddha and his teaching are by far one of the most prominent left-hand path belief systems that are known and even commonly excepted by people of all faiths and religious doctrines. And while his advice offered throughout his life was without a doubt enriching, the words he left before moving on to the next life in his path are essential guidance that everyone should know.

Preceding his death, the Buddha spoke with his disciples and urged them to hold onto his teachings and make sure they were passed to the generations to come. While doing this, he maintained the importance of living the life they so advocated by living a mindful life pf peace and virtue. If they did, they would continue to pass through the various stages of reincarnation thus ending their suffering once and for all.

Now, O bhikkhus, I say to you that these teachings of which I have direct knowledge and which I have made known to you — these you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well-being, and happiness of gods and men.

“And what, bhikkhus, are these teachings? They are the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the four constituents of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path. These, bhikkhus, are the teachings of which I have direct knowledge, which I have made known to you, and which you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well-being, and happiness of gods and men.”

Then the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus: “So, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness. The time of the Tathagata’s Parinibbana is near. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away.” — DN 16

In his last and final speech, he emphasized the need for the four foundations of mindfulness which include:

The four right efforts, the four constituents of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers. The seven factors of enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path.

According to Buddha, if these practices were maintained, they would not only benefit the individual, but they would also benefit the multitudes. And his final message was “When I am gone, my Teaching shall be your Master and Guide.”