The Sutra of the Total Annihilation of the Dharma (佛说法灭尽经)

The Sutra of the Total Annihilation of the Dharma (佛说法灭尽经) is a discourse given by the Buddha to a large assembly three month before his final passing into parinirvāṇa.

The sutra begins by drawing the reader’s attention to the Buddha’s silence and lack of light. Curious of these abnormal circumstances, Ānanda asks the Buddha why his radiance is absent, to which the Buddha responds with a concise description of events that will lead to the ultimate extinction of the Dharma in the Sahā world. 

Among these ominous affairs, demonic maras in the guise of monks who break the precepts and live luxuriously will be at odds with bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and arhats who will diligently uphold the Dharma. These evil monastics will eventually gain immense power and influence, banishing virtuous people and ultimately causing the decline of the Dharma. 

Once the Dharma is about to perish, disaster and turmoil will befall the worlds of humans and devas. Holy beings will assemble in remote places where they will practice together. The Tripiṭaka will gradually change and disappear. Monk’s clothing will turn white. An air of mystery surrounds the state of the world once the Dharma perishes. Ten million years will pass until the true Dharma is finally restored by the fully awakened Buddha Maitreya. 

This sutra was translated by an anonymous writer, believed to have lived before the renowned Tripiṭaka Master Kumārajīva. There are several English translations of the text. Two prominent versions can be found below:

Translation by the Buddhist Text Translation Society
Translation by Shen Shi-an of the Purelanders.