After the meal, the Buddha was struck by a sudden attack of haemorrhage. But He managed to travel on by means of His endurance and self-restraint, thereby heading towards the town of Kusinr and stopping at intervals for a rest. Approaching Kusinr, He stopped for rest under a tree-shade by the side of the trail. There happened to be a son of the Malla King passing by. He was named Pukkusa and was a disciple of the hermit lra, one of the Buddha's former teachers. He was travelling from Kusinr to the town of Pv. Seeing the Buddha he approached Him and, having listened to a sermon, was impressed. He offered to the Buddha two pieces of Sigivana robes, one of which the Buddha gave to Venerable nanda.

Then He crossed over the river Kakudh and, having rested for some time, proceeded to the river Hiraavat, within the town of Kusinr. After that He continued His journey to the Sla Grove. There He asked nanda to spread a bed-cloth underneath a pair of Sla trees, with the head failing North. On this bed He lay down on His right side, with His mind secure y established by Mindfulness, deciding thereby never to get up again. It was therefore to be His final rest. But, even in such a posture and condition, He still undertook to instruct the Bhikkhus who assembled there. At night there was a mendicant named Subhadda who, having learnt about the news of the Buddha's impending passing away, came to see Him. The Buddha allowed the mendicant to ask whatever questions he had in mind and then answered them all, to the delight of the mendicant, who asked for ordination. The Buddha granted his wish and told nanda to have him ordained there at that moment, thus exempting him from the disciplinary procedure that a monk of any other tradition be required to undergo a three-month period of probation. This was to test the person's sincerity and behaviour before being admitted into the Order. Now Subhadda, having been ordained, put forth his utmost efforts towards the development of Insight and before long was able to attain the Arahatship, being thereby the last contemporary Arahant disciple, of the Buddha.

Then the Buddha gave the assembled Bhikkus His final instruction, saying, "I remind you, O Bhikkhus. All conditioned things are of the nature to decline and decay. May you all fulfil your duties with heedfulness." Henceforth He did not utter anything more, but remained conscious within, reviewing the nine Attainments until He passed away in the last watch of the fullmon night of the Veskha month.

In the morning that followed, Venerable nanda made known the Buddha's passing away to the Malla Princes in the town of Kusinr. This was later known all away over the town, The Mall Princes and the people paid obeisance to the Buddha and conducted the funeral ceremony in the manner of one traditionally performed for a universal King. This in accordance with what the Buddha had earlier told nanda. Seven days later the Buddha's Remains were moved to a place called Makutabandhana Cetya for cremation.

On that day Venerable Mahkassapa, a senior Elder, was on his way with his Bhikkhus to see the Buddha, not knowing that the Master had already passed away. He met an jvaka (a kind of monks) on the way and learned from him about the fact. They were shocked by the news, those with their Defilements eradicated (i.e. the Arahants) contemplating with Detachment the nature of the conditioned, whereas others still worldlings abandoning themselves to grief and lamentation. Of those Bhikkhus, there was an aged one named Subhadda who was callously indifferent of the Buddha's passing away. Speaking from his mind he said, "It is a good thing, Brethren, that the Buddha has passed away. There will be from now on no one to order us about, saying we should do this and not do that. Do not be grieved." Such remarks of debasing ingratitude deeply moved Venerable Mahkassapa since it was inconceivable for him that any Bhikkhu should give such an attitude towards his own Master. However, he kept the feeling to himself and hurried on with his Bhikkhus. They arrived in time to pay obeisance to the Buddha's Remains when the cremation rites were about to start.