In the hours before his passing at Kusinàrà, the Buddha gave some final instructions to those gathered around him. Having done this, he spoke his last words which were meant to be both a reminder and an encouragement. These last words were: `Now monks, I say unto you, all conditioned things are impermanent, strive on with awareness' (Vayadhammà saõkhàrà. Appamàdena sampàdetha). Then he entered into a deep meditative state and after some time peacefully passed away (D.II,156).