The Last Sermon of the Buddha

The Buddha's Farewell Address
I have preached the truth without making any distinction
between exoteric and esoteric doctrine;
for in respect of the truth, Ananda,
the Tathagata has no such thing as the closed fist of a teacher,
who keeps some things back....
"Therefore, O Ananda, be ye lamps unto yourselves.
Rely on yourselves, and do not rely on external help
"Hold fast to the truth as a lamp.
Seek salvation alone in the truth.
Look not for assistance to any one besides yourselves.
"Herein, O Ananda, let a brother,
as he dwells in the body, so regard the body that he,
being strenuous, thoughtful, and mindful, may, whilst in the world,
overcome the grief which arises from the body's cravings.
"While subject to sensations
let him continue so to regard the sensations that he,
being strenuous, thoughtful, and mindful, may, whilst in the world,
overcome the grief which arises from the sensations. 
 "And so, also, when he thinks or reasons, or feels,
let him so regard his thoughts
that being strenuous, thoughtful, and mindful he may, whilst in the world,
overcome the grief which arises from the craving due to ideas,
or to reasoning, or to feeling.
...it is in the very nature of all compound things
that they must be dissolved again.
We must separate ourselves from all
things near and dear to us, and must leave them.
How then, Ananda, can it be possible for me to remain,
since everything that is born, or brought into being, and organized,
contains within itself the inherent necessity of dissolution?
 "O brethren, ye to whom the truth has been made known,
having thoroughly made yourselves masters of it,
practise it, meditate upon it, and spread it abroad,
in order that pure religion may last long and be perpetuated,
in order that it may continue for the good
and happiness of the great multitudes,
out of pity for the world,
and to the good and gain of all living beings!
"Star-gazing and astrology, forecasting lucky or unfortunate events by signs,
prognosticating good or evil, all these are things forbidden.  

"He who lets his heart go loose without restraint
shall not attain Nirvana;
therefore, must we hold the heart in check,
and retire from worldly excitements
and seek tranquillity of mind.
"Practise the earnest meditations I have taught you.
Continue in the great struggle against sin.
Walk steadily in the roads of saintship.
Be strong in moral powers.
Let the organs of your spiritual sense be quick.
When the seven kinds of wisdom enlighten your mind,
you will find the noble, eightfold path that leads to Nirvana.  

'All component things must grow old and be dissolved again.
Seek ye for that which is permanent,
and work out your salvation with diligence.'"
"He who gives away shall have real gain.
He who subdues himself shall be free,
he shall cease to be a slave of passions.
The righteous man casts off evil;
and by rooting out lust, bitterness, and illusion,
do we reach Nirvana."