---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 33 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/33/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 33. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/33/"
---

# Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The thirty-four long discourses of the Buddha: the Divine Net of views, the fruits of the ascetic life, the Great Discourse on Mindfulness, and the last days and passing of the Buddha.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 33. DN 16 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · part 6

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/33/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/33/#p-N

[¶0] no second ascetic, no third ascetic, and no fourth ascetic. Other sects are empty of ascetics. Were these mendicants to practice well, the world would not be empty of perfected ones.”

> Pali: Dutiyopi samaṇo natthi. Tatiyopi samaṇo natthi. Catutthopi samaṇo natthi. Suññā parappavādā samaṇebhi aññehi. Ime ca, subhadda, bhikkhū sammā vihareyyuṁ, asuñño loko arahantehi assā”ti.

[¶1] When he had spoken, Subhadda said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?”

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, subhaddo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Labheyyāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadan”ti.

[¶2] “Subhadda, if someone formerly ordained in another sect wishes to take the going forth, the ordination in this teaching and training, they must spend four months on probation. When four months have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, they’ll give the going forth, the ordination into monkhood. However, I have recognized individual differences in this matter.”

> Pali: “Yo kho, subhadda, aññatitthiyapubbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhati pabbajjaṁ, ākaṅkhati upasampadaṁ, so cattāro māse parivasati. Catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya. Api ca mettha puggalavemattatā viditā”ti.

[¶3] “Sir, if four months probation are required in such a case, I’ll spend four years on probation. When four years have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, let them give me the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.”

> Pali: “Sace, bhante, aññatitthiyapubbā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhantā pabbajjaṁ ākaṅkhantā upasampadaṁ cattāro māse parivasanti, catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya. Ahaṁ cattāri vassāni parivasissāmi, catunnaṁ vassānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājentu upasampādentu bhikkhubhāvāyā”ti.

[¶4] Then the Buddha said to Ānanda, “Well then, Ānanda, give Subhadda the going forth.”

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: “tenahānanda, subhaddaṁ pabbājehī”ti.

[¶5] “Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

> Pali: “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paccassosi.

[¶6] Then Subhadda said to Ānanda, “You’re so fortunate, Reverand Ānanda, so very fortunate, to be anointed here in the Teacher’s presence as his pupil!” And the wanderer Subhadda received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Subhadda, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

> Pali: Atha kho subhaddo paribbājako āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: “lābhā vo, āvuso ānanda; suladdhaṁ vo, āvuso ānanda, ye ettha satthu sammukhā antevāsikābhisekena abhisittā”ti. Alattha kho subhaddo paribbājako bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, alattha upasampadaṁ. Acirūpasampanno kho panāyasmā subhaddo eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti—tadanuttaraṁ brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi.

[¶7] He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Subhadda became one of the perfected. He was the last personal disciple of the Buddha.

> Pali: “Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi. Aññataro kho panāyasmā subhaddo arahataṁ ahosi. So bhagavato pacchimo sakkhisāvako ahosīti.

[¶8] The fifth recitation section.

> Pali: Pañcamo bhāṇavāro.

[¶9] 35. The Buddha’s Last Words

> Pali: 35. Tathāgatapacchimavācā

[¶10] Then the Buddha addressed Venerable Ānanda:

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:

[¶11] “Now, Ānanda, some of you might think: ‘The teacher’s dispensation has passed. Now we have no Teacher.’ But you should not see it like this. The teaching and training that I have taught and pointed out for you shall be your Teacher after my passing.

> Pali: “siyā kho panānanda, tumhākaṁ evamassa: ‘atītasatthukaṁ pāvacanaṁ, natthi no satthā’ti. Na kho panetaṁ, ānanda, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ. Yo vo, ānanda, mayā dhammo ca vinayo ca desito paññatto, so vo mamaccayena satthā.

[¶12] After my passing, mendicants ought not address each other as ‘reverend’, as they do today. A more senior mendicant ought to address a more junior mendicant by name or clan, or by saying ‘reverend’. A more junior mendicant ought to address a more senior mendicant using ‘sir’ or ‘venerable’.

> Pali: Yathā kho panānanda, etarahi bhikkhū aññamaññaṁ āvusovādena samudācaranti, na kho mamaccayena evaṁ samudācaritabbaṁ. Theratarena, ānanda, bhikkhunā navakataro bhikkhu nāmena vā gottena vā āvusovādena vā samudācaritabbo. Navakatarena bhikkhunā therataro bhikkhu ‘bhante’ti vā ‘āyasmā’ti vā samudācaritabbo.

[¶13] If it wishes, after my passing the Saṅgha may abolish the lesser and minor training rules.

> Pali: Ākaṅkhamāno, ānanda, saṅgho mamaccayena khuddānukhuddakāni sikkhāpadāni samūhanatu.

[¶14] After my passing, give the divine punishment to the mendicant Channa.”

> Pali: Channassa, ānanda, bhikkhuno mamaccayena brahmadaṇḍo dātabbo”ti.

[¶15] “But sir, what is the divine punishment?”

> Pali: “Katamo pana, bhante, brahmadaṇḍo”ti?

[¶16] “Channa may say what he likes, but the mendicants should not correct, advise, or instruct him.”

> Pali: “Channo, ānanda, bhikkhu yaṁ iccheyya, taṁ vadeyya. So bhikkhūhi neva vattabbo, na ovaditabbo, na anusāsitabbo”ti.

[¶17] Then the Buddha said to the mendicants, “Perhaps even a single mendicant has doubt or uncertainty regarding the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the path, or the practice. So ask, mendicants! Don’t regret it later, thinking: ‘We were in the Teacher’s presence and we weren’t able to ask the Buddha a question.’”

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “siyā kho pana, bhikkhave, ekabhikkhussāpi kaṅkhā vā vimati vā buddhe vā dhamme vā saṅghe vā magge vā paṭipadāya vā, pucchatha, bhikkhave, mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha: ‘sammukhībhūto no satthā ahosi, na mayaṁ sakkhimhā bhagavantaṁ sammukhā paṭipucchitun’”ti.

[¶18] When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ.

[¶19] For a second time … For a third time the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Perhaps even a single mendicant has doubt or uncertainty regarding the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the path, or the practice. So ask, mendicants! Don’t regret it later, thinking: ‘We were in the Teacher’s presence and we weren’t able to ask the Buddha a question.’”

> Pali: Dutiyampi kho bhagavā …pe… tatiyampi kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “siyā kho pana, bhikkhave, ekabhikkhussāpi kaṅkhā vā vimati vā buddhe vā dhamme vā saṅghe vā magge vā paṭipadāya vā, pucchatha, bhikkhave, mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha: ‘sammukhībhūto no satthā ahosi, na mayaṁ sakkhimhā bhagavantaṁ sammukhā paṭipucchitun’”ti.

[¶20] For a third time, the mendicants kept silent. Then the Buddha said to the mendicants,

> Pali: Tatiyampi kho te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ. Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

[¶21] “Mendicants, perhaps you don’t ask out of respect for the Teacher. So let a friend tell a friend.”

> Pali: “siyā kho pana, bhikkhave, satthugāravenapi na puccheyyātha. Sahāyakopi, bhikkhave, sahāyakassa ārocetū”ti.

[¶22] When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ.

[¶23] Then Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha, “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! I am quite confident that there is not even a single mendicant in this Saṅgha who has doubt or uncertainty regarding the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the path, or the practice.”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, evaṁ pasanno ahaṁ, bhante, imasmiṁ bhikkhusaṅghe, ‘natthi ekabhikkhussāpi kaṅkhā vā vimati vā buddhe vā dhamme vā saṅghe vā magge vā paṭipadāya vā’”ti.

[¶24] “Ānanda, you speak out of faith. But the Realized One knows that there is not even a single mendicant in this Saṅgha who has doubt or uncertainty regarding the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the path, or the practice. Even the last of these five hundred mendicants is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”

> Pali: “Pasādā kho tvaṁ, ānanda, vadesi, ñāṇameva hettha, ānanda, tathāgatassa. Natthi imasmiṁ bhikkhusaṅghe ekabhikkhussāpi kaṅkhā vā vimati vā buddhe vā dhamme vā saṅghe vā magge vā paṭipadāya vā. Imesañhi, ānanda, pañcannaṁ bhikkhusatānaṁ yo pacchimako bhikkhu, so sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo”ti.

[¶25] Then the Buddha said to the mendicants: “Come now, mendicants, I say to you all: ‘Conditions fall apart. Persist with diligence.’”

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “handa dāni, bhikkhave, āmantayāmi vo, vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādethā”ti.

[¶26] These were the Realized One’s last words.

> Pali: Ayaṁ tathāgatassa pacchimā vācā.

[¶27] 36. Fully Quenched

> Pali: 36. Parinibbutakathā

[¶28] Then the Buddha entered the first absorption. Emerging from that, he entered the second absorption. Emerging from that, he successively entered into and emerged from the third absorption, the fourth absorption, the dimension of infinite space, the dimension of infinite consciousness, the dimension of nothingness, and the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. Then he entered the cessation of perception and feeling.

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, paṭhamajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, dutiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, tatiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā catutthaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, catutthajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samāpajji, ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samāpajji, viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samāpajji, ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samāpajji, nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ samāpajji.

[¶29] Then Venerable Ānanda said to Venerable Anuruddha, “Honorable Anuruddha, has the Buddha become fully quenched?”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca: “parinibbuto, bhante anuruddha, bhagavā”ti.

[¶30] “No, Reverend Ānanda. He has entered the cessation of perception and feeling.”

> Pali: “Nāvuso ānanda, bhagavā parinibbuto, saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ samāpanno”ti.

[¶31] Then the Buddha emerged from the cessation of perception and feeling and entered the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. Emerging from that, he successively entered into and emerged from the dimension of nothingness, the dimension of infinite consciousness, the dimension of infinite space, the fourth absorption, the third absorption, the second absorption, and the first absorption. Emerging from that, he successively entered into and emerged from the second absorption and the third absorption. Then he entered the fourth absorption. Emerging from that the Buddha immediately became fully extinguished.

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā saññāvedayitanirodhasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samāpajji, nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samāpajji, ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samāpajji, viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samāpajji, ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā vuṭṭhahitvā catutthaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, catutthajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, tatiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, dutiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, paṭhamajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, dutiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, tatiyajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā catutthaṁ jhānaṁ samāpajji, catutthajjhānā vuṭṭhahitvā samanantarā bhagavā parinibbāyi.

[¶32] When the Buddha was fully quenched, along with the full extinguishment there was a great earthquake, awe-inspiring and hair-raising, and thunder cracked the sky. When the Buddha was fully quenched, the divinity Sahampati spoke this verse:

> Pali: Parinibbute bhagavati saha parinibbānā mahābhūmicālo ahosi bhiṁsanako salomahaṁso. Devadundubhiyo ca phaliṁsu. Parinibbute bhagavati saha parinibbānā brahmāsahampati imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

[¶33] “All creatures in this world
must lay down this bag of bones.
For even a Teacher such as this,
unrivaled in the world,
the Realized One, attained to power,
the Buddha was fully quenched.”

> Pali: “Sabbeva nikkhipissanti,
bhūtā loke samussayaṁ;
Yattha etādiso satthā,
loke appaṭipuggalo;
Tathāgato balappatto,
sambuddho parinibbuto”ti.

[¶34] When the Buddha was fully quenched, Sakka, lord of gods, spoke this verse:

> Pali: Parinibbute bhagavati saha parinibbānā sakko devānamindo imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

[¶35] “Oh! Conditions are impermanent,
their nature is to rise and fall;
having arisen, they cease;
their settling is blissful.”

> Pali: “Aniccā vata saṅkhārā,
uppādavayadhammino;
Uppajjitvā nirujjhanti,
tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho”ti.

[¶36] When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Anuruddha spoke this verse:

> Pali: Parinibbute bhagavati saha parinibbānā āyasmā anuruddho imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

[¶37] “There was no more breathing
for the unaffected one of steady heart.
Imperturbable, committed to peace,
the sage has done his time.

> Pali: “Nāhu assāsapassāso,
ṭhitacittassa tādino;
Anejo santimārabbha,
yaṁ kālamakarī muni.

[¶38] He put up with painful feelings
without flinching.
The liberation of his heart
was like the extinguishing of a lamp.”

> Pali: Asallīnena cittena,
vedanaṁ ajjhavāsayi;
Pajjotasseva nibbānaṁ,
vimokkho cetaso ahū”ti.

[¶39] When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Ānanda spoke this verse:

> Pali: Parinibbute bhagavati saha parinibbānā āyasmā ānando imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

[¶40] “Then there was terror!
Then they had goosebumps!
When the Buddha, endowed with all fine qualities,
became fully quenched.”

> Pali: “Tadāsi yaṁ bhiṁsanakaṁ,
tadāsi lomahaṁsanaṁ;
Sabbākāravarūpete,
sambuddhe parinibbute”ti.

[¶41] When the Buddha was fully quenched, some of the mendicants there who were not free of desire, with arms raised, falling down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamented: “Too soon the Blessed One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Holy One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Eye of the World has vanished!” But the mendicants who were free of desire endured, mindful and aware, thinking, “Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?”

> Pali: Parinibbute bhagavati ye te tattha bhikkhū avītarāgā appekacce bāhā paggayha kandanti, chinnapātaṁ papatanti, āvaṭṭanti vivaṭṭanti, “atikhippaṁ bhagavā parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ sugato parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ cakkhuṁ loke antarahito”ti. Ye pana te bhikkhū vītarāgā, te satā sampajānā adhivāsenti: “aniccā saṅkhārā, taṁ kutettha labbhā”ti.

[¶42] Then Anuruddha addressed the mendicants: “Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament. Did the Buddha not prepare us for this when he explained that we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved? How could it possibly be so that what is born, created, conditioned, and liable to wear out should not wear out? The deities are complaining.”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho bhikkhū āmantesi: “alaṁ, āvuso, mā socittha mā paridevittha. Nanu etaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā paṭikacceva akkhātaṁ: ‘sabbeheva piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo’. Taṁ kutettha, āvuso, labbhā. ‘Yaṁ taṁ jātaṁ bhūtaṁ saṅkhataṁ palokadhammaṁ, taṁ vata mā palujjī’ti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Devatā, āvuso, ujjhāyantī”ti.

[¶43] “But sir, what kind of deities are you thinking of?”

> Pali: “Kathaṁbhūtā pana, bhante, āyasmā anuruddho devatā manasi karotī”ti?

[¶44] “There are, Ānanda, deities—both in space and on the earth—who are aware of the earth. With hair disheveled and arms raised, they fall down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamenting: ‘Too soon the Blessed One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Holy One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Eye of the World has vanished!’ But the deities who are free of desire endure, mindful and aware, thinking: ‘Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?’”

> Pali: “Santāvuso ānanda, devatā ākāse pathavīsaññiniyo kese pakiriya kandanti, bāhā paggayha kandanti, chinnapātaṁ papatanti, āvaṭṭanti, vivaṭṭanti: ‘atikhippaṁ bhagavā parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ sugato parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ cakkhuṁ loke antarahito’ti. Santāvuso ānanda, devatā pathaviyā pathavīsaññiniyo kese pakiriya kandanti, bāhā paggayha kandanti, chinnapātaṁ papatanti, āvaṭṭanti, vivaṭṭanti: ‘atikhippaṁ bhagavā parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ sugato parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ cakkhuṁ loke antarahito’ti. Yā pana tā devatā vītarāgā, tā satā sampajānā adhivāsenti: ‘aniccā saṅkhārā, taṁ kutettha labbhā’”ti.

[¶45] Ānanda and Anuruddha spent the rest of the night talking about Dhamma.

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca ānando taṁ rattāvasesaṁ dhammiyā kathāya vītināmesuṁ.

[¶46] Then Anuruddha said to Ānanda, “Go, Ānanda, into Kusinārā and inform the Mallas: ‘Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched. Please come at your convenience.’”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: “gacchāvuso ānanda, kusināraṁ pavisitvā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ ārocehi: ‘parinibbuto, vāseṭṭhā, bhagavā, yassadāni kālaṁ maññathā’”ti.

[¶47] “Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kusinārā with a companion.

> Pali: “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando āyasmato anuruddhassa paṭissutvā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya attadutiyo kusināraṁ pāvisi.

[¶48] Now at that time the Mallas of Kusinārā were sitting together at the town hall still on the same business. Ānanda went up to them, and announced, “Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched. Please come at your convenience.”

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena kosinārakā mallā sandhāgāre sannipatitā honti teneva karaṇīyena. Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ sandhāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ ārocesi: “parinibbuto, vāseṭṭhā, bhagavā, yassadāni kālaṁ maññathā”ti.

[¶49] When they heard what Ānanda had to say, the Mallas, their sons, daughters-in-law, and wives became distraught, saddened, and grief-stricken. And some, with hair disheveled and arms raised, falling down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamented, “Too soon the Blessed One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Holy One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Eye of the World has vanished!”

> Pali: Idamāyasmato ānandassa vacanaṁ sutvā mallā ca mallaputtā ca mallasuṇisā ca mallapajāpatiyo ca aghāvino dummanā cetodukkhasamappitā appekacce kese pakiriya kandanti, bāhā paggayha kandanti, chinnapātaṁ papatanti, āvaṭṭanti, vivaṭṭanti: “atikhippaṁ bhagavā parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ sugato parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ cakkhuṁ loke antarahito”ti.

[¶50] 37. The Rites of Venerating the Buddha’s Corpse

> Pali: 37. Buddhasarīrapūjā

[¶51] Then the Mallas ordered their men, “So then, lads, collect fragrances and garlands, and all the musical instruments in Kusinārā.”

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā purise āṇāpesuṁ: “tena hi, bhaṇe, kusinārāyaṁ gandhamālañca sabbañca tāḷāvacaraṁ sannipātethā”ti.

[¶52] Then—taking those fragrances and garlands, all the musical instruments, and five hundred pairs of garments—they went to the Mallian sal grove at Upavattana and approached the Buddha’s corpse. They spent the day honoring, respecting, revering, and venerating the Buddha’s corpse with dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances, and making awnings and setting up pavilions.

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā gandhamālañca sabbañca tāḷāvacaraṁ pañca ca dussayugasatāni ādāya yena upavattanaṁ mallānaṁ sālavanaṁ, yena bhagavato sarīraṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato sarīraṁ naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā celavitānāni karontā maṇḍalamāḷe paṭiyādentā ekadivasaṁ vītināmesuṁ.

[¶53] Then they thought, “It’s too late to cremate the Buddha’s corpse today. Let’s do it tomorrow.” But they spent the next day the same way, and so too the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days.

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ etadahosi: “ativikālo kho ajja bhagavato sarīraṁ jhāpetuṁ, sve dāni mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ jhāpessāmā”ti. Atha kho kosinārakā mallā bhagavato sarīraṁ naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā celavitānāni karontā maṇḍalamāḷe paṭiyādentā dutiyampi divasaṁ vītināmesuṁ, tatiyampi divasaṁ vītināmesuṁ, catutthampi divasaṁ vītināmesuṁ, pañcamampi divasaṁ vītināmesuṁ, chaṭṭhampi divasaṁ vītināmesuṁ.

[¶54] Then on the seventh day they thought, “Honoring, respecting, revering, and venerating the Buddha’s corpse with dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances, let us carry it to the south of the town, and cremate it there outside the town.”

> Pali: Atha kho sattamaṁ divasaṁ kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ etadahosi: “mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā dakkhiṇena dakkhiṇaṁ nagarassa haritvā bāhirena bāhiraṁ dakkhiṇato nagarassa bhagavato sarīraṁ jhāpessāmā”ti.

[¶55] Now at that time eight of the leading Mallas, having bathed their heads and dressed in unworn clothes, said, “We shall lift the Buddha’s corpse.” But they were unable to do so.

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena aṭṭha mallapāmokkhā sīsaṁnhātā ahatāni vatthāni nivatthā: “mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ uccāressāmā”ti na sakkonti uccāretuṁ.

[¶56] The Mallas said to Anuruddha, “What is the cause, Honorable Anuruddha, what is the reason why these eight Mallian chiefs are unable to lift the Buddha’s corpse?”

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocuṁ: “ko nu kho, bhante anuruddha, hetu ko paccayo, yenime aṭṭha mallapāmokkhā sīsaṁnhātā ahatāni vatthāni nivatthā: ‘mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ uccāressāmā’ti na sakkonti uccāretun”ti?

[¶57] “Vāseṭṭhas, you have one plan, but the deities have a different one.”

> Pali: “Aññathā kho, vāseṭṭhā, tumhākaṁ adhippāyo, aññathā devatānaṁ adhippāyo”ti.

[¶58] “But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”

> Pali: “Kathaṁ pana, bhante, devatānaṁ adhippāyo”ti?

[¶59] “You plan to carry the Buddha’s corpse to the south of the town while venerating it with dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances, and cremate it there outside the town. The deities plan to carry the Buddha’s corpse to the north of the town while venerating it with heavenly dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances. Then they plan to enter the town by the northern gate, carry it through the center of the town, leave by the eastern gate, and cremate it there at the Mallian shrine named Coronation.”

> Pali: “Tumhākaṁ kho, vāseṭṭhā, adhippāyo: ‘mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā dakkhiṇena dakkhiṇaṁ nagarassa haritvā bāhirena bāhiraṁ dakkhiṇato nagarassa bhagavato sarīraṁ jhāpessāmā’ti; devatānaṁ kho, vāseṭṭhā, adhippāyo: ‘mayaṁ bhagavato sarīraṁ dibbehi naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā uttarena uttaraṁ nagarassa haritvā uttarena dvārena nagaraṁ pavesetvā majjhena majjhaṁ nagarassa haritvā puratthimena dvārena nikkhamitvā puratthimato nagarassa makuṭabandhanaṁ nāma mallānaṁ cetiyaṁ ettha bhagavato sarīraṁ jhāpessāmā’”ti.

[¶60] “Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”

> Pali: “Yathā, bhante, devatānaṁ adhippāyo, tathā hotū”ti.

[¶61] Now at that time the whole of Kusinārā was covered knee-deep with the flowers of the Flame Tree, without gaps even on the filth and rubbish heaps. Then the deities and the Mallas of Kusinārā carried the Buddha’s corpse to the north of the town while venerating it with heavenly and human dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances. Then they entered the town by the northern gate, carried it through the center of the town, left by the eastern gate, and deposited the corpse there at the Mallian shrine named Coronation.

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena kusinārā yāva sandhisamalasaṅkaṭīrā jaṇṇumattena odhinā mandāravapupphehi santhatā hoti. Atha kho devatā ca kosinārakā ca mallā bhagavato sarīraṁ dibbehi ca mānusakehi ca naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkarontā garuṁ karontā mānentā pūjentā uttarena uttaraṁ nagarassa haritvā uttarena dvārena nagaraṁ pavesetvā majjhena majjhaṁ nagarassa haritvā puratthimena dvārena nikkhamitvā puratthimato nagarassa makuṭabandhanaṁ nāma mallānaṁ cetiyaṁ ettha ca bhagavato sarīraṁ nikkhipiṁsu.

[¶62] Then the Mallas said to Ānanda, “Honorable Ānanda, how do we proceed when it comes to the Realized One’s corpse?”

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavocuṁ: “kathaṁ mayaṁ, bhante ānanda, tathāgatassa sarīre paṭipajjāmā”ti?

[¶63] “Proceed in the same way as they do for the corpse of a wheel-turning monarch.”

> Pali: “Yathā kho, vāseṭṭhā, rañño cakkavattissa sarīre paṭipajjanti, evaṁ tathāgatassa sarīre paṭipajjitabban”ti.

[¶64] “But how do they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse?”

> Pali: “Kathaṁ pana, bhante ānanda, rañño cakkavattissa sarīre paṭipajjantī”ti?

[¶65] “They wrap a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse with unworn cloth, then with uncarded cotton, then again with unworn cloth. In this way they wrap the corpse with five hundred double-layers. Then they place it in an iron casket filled with oil and close it up with another casket. Then, having built a funeral pyre out of all kinds of aromatics, they cremate the corpse. They build a monument for the wheel-turning monarch at the crossroads. That’s how they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse. Proceed in the same way with the Realized One’s corpse. A monument for the Realized One is to be built at the crossroads. When someone there lifts up garlands or fragrance or powder, or bows, or inspires confidence in their heart, that will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.”

> Pali: “Rañño, vāseṭṭhā, cakkavattissa sarīraṁ ahatena vatthena veṭhenti, ahatena vatthena veṭhetvā vihatena kappāsena veṭhenti, vihatena kappāsena veṭhetvā ahatena vatthena veṭhenti. Etena upāyena pañcahi yugasatehi rañño cakkavattissa sarīraṁ veṭhetvā āyasāya teladoṇiyā pakkhipitvā aññissā āyasāya doṇiyā paṭikujjitvā sabbagandhānaṁ citakaṁ karitvā rañño cakkavattissa sarīraṁ jhāpenti. Cātumahāpathe rañño cakkavattissa thūpaṁ karonti. Evaṁ kho, vāseṭṭhā, rañño cakkavattissa sarīre paṭipajjanti. Yathā kho, vāseṭṭhā, rañño cakkavattissa sarīre paṭipajjanti, evaṁ tathāgatassa sarīre paṭipajjitabbaṁ. Cātumahāpathe tathāgatassa thūpo kātabbo. Tattha ye mālaṁ vā gandhaṁ vā cuṇṇakaṁ vā āropessanti vā abhivādessanti vā cittaṁ vā pasādessanti, tesaṁ taṁ bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti.

[¶66] Then the Mallas ordered their men, “So then, lads, collect uncarded cotton.”

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā purise āṇāpesuṁ: “tena hi, bhaṇe, mallānaṁ vihataṁ kappāsaṁ sannipātethā”ti.

[¶67] So the Mallas wrapped the Buddha’s corpse, and placed it in an iron casket filled with oil. Then, having built a funeral pyre out of all kinds of aromatics, they lifted the corpse on to the pyre.

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā bhagavato sarīraṁ ahatena vatthena veṭhetvā vihatena kappāsena veṭhesuṁ, vihatena kappāsena veṭhetvā ahatena vatthena veṭhesuṁ. Etena upāyena pañcahi yugasatehi bhagavato sarīraṁ veṭhetvā āyasāya teladoṇiyā pakkhipitvā aññissā āyasāya doṇiyā paṭikujjitvā sabbagandhānaṁ citakaṁ karitvā bhagavato sarīraṁ citakaṁ āropesuṁ.

[¶68] 38. Mahākassapa’s Arrival

> Pali: 38. Mahākassapattheravatthu

[¶69] Now at that time Venerable Mahākassapa was traveling along the road from Pāvā to Kusinārā together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants. Then he left the road and sat at the root of a tree.

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā mahākassapo pāvāya kusināraṁ addhānamaggappaṭipanno hoti mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi. Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo maggā okkamma aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle nisīdi.

[¶70] Now at that time a certain Ājīvaka ascetic had picked up a Flame Tree flower in Kusinārā and was traveling along the road to Pāvā. Mahākassapa saw him coming off in the distance and said to him, “Reverend, might you know about our Teacher?”

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena aññataro ājīvako kusinārāya mandāravapupphaṁ gahetvā pāvaṁ addhānamaggappaṭipanno hoti. Addasā kho āyasmā mahākassapo taṁ ājīvakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ, disvā taṁ ājīvakaṁ etadavoca: “apāvuso, amhākaṁ satthāraṁ jānāsī”ti?

[¶71] “Yes, reverend. Seven days ago the ascetic Gotama was fully quenched. From there I picked up this Flame Tree flower.” Some of the mendicants there who were not free of desire, with arms raised, falling down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamented, “Too soon the Blessed One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Holy One has become fully quenched! Too soon the Eye of the World has vanished!” But the mendicants who were free of desire endured, mindful and aware, thinking, “Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?”

> Pali: “Āmāvuso, jānāmi, ajja sattāhaparinibbuto samaṇo gotamo. Tato me idaṁ mandāravapupphaṁ gahitan”ti. Tattha ye te bhikkhū avītarāgā appekacce bāhā paggayha kandanti, chinnapātaṁ papatanti, āvaṭṭanti, vivaṭṭanti: “atikhippaṁ bhagavā parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ sugato parinibbuto, atikhippaṁ cakkhuṁ loke antarahito”ti. Ye pana te bhikkhū vītarāgā, te satā sampajānā adhivāsenti: “aniccā saṅkhārā, taṁ kutettha labbhā”ti.

[¶72] Now at that time a monk named Subhadda, who had gone forth when old, was sitting in that assembly. He said to those mendicants, “Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament. We’re well rid of that Great Ascetic. And we are harried: ‘This is allowable for you; this is not allowable for you.’ Well, now we shall do what we want and not do what we don’t want.”

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena subhaddo nāma vuddhapabbajito tassaṁ parisāyaṁ nisinno hoti. Atha kho subhaddo vuddhapabbajito te bhikkhū etadavoca: “alaṁ, āvuso, mā socittha, mā paridevittha, sumuttā mayaṁ tena mahāsamaṇena. Upaddutā ca homa: ‘idaṁ vo kappati, idaṁ vo na kappatī’ti. Idāni pana mayaṁ yaṁ icchissāma, taṁ karissāma, yaṁ na icchissāma, na taṁ karissāmā”ti.

[¶73] Then Venerable Mahākassapa addressed the mendicants, “Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament. Did the Buddha not prepare us for this when he explained that we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved? How could it possibly be so that what is born, created, conditioned, and liable to wear out should not wear out, even the Realized One’s body?”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo bhikkhū āmantesi: “alaṁ, āvuso, mā socittha, mā paridevittha. Nanu etaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā paṭikacceva akkhātaṁ: ‘sabbeheva piyehi manāpehi nānābhāvo vinābhāvo aññathābhāvo’. Taṁ kutettha, āvuso, labbhā. ‘Yaṁ taṁ jātaṁ bhūtaṁ saṅkhataṁ palokadhammaṁ, taṁ tathāgatassāpi sarīraṁ mā palujjī’ti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”ti.

[¶74] Now at that time four of the leading Mallas, having bathed their heads and dressed in unworn clothes, said, “We shall light the Buddha’s funeral pyre.” But they were unable to do so.

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena cattāro mallapāmokkhā sīsaṁnhātā ahatāni vatthāni nivatthā: “mayaṁ bhagavato citakaṁ āḷimpessāmā”ti na sakkonti āḷimpetuṁ.

[¶75] The Mallas said to Anuruddha, “What is the cause, Venerable Anuruddha, what is the reason why these four Mallian chiefs are unable to light the Buddha’s funeral pyre?”

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocuṁ: “ko nu kho, bhante anuruddha, hetu ko paccayo, yenime cattāro mallapāmokkhā sīsaṁnhātā ahatāni vatthāni nivatthā: ‘mayaṁ bhagavato citakaṁ āḷimpessāmā’ti na sakkonti āḷimpetun”ti?

[¶76] “Vāseṭṭhas, the deities have a different plan.”

> Pali: “Aññathā kho, vāseṭṭhā, devatānaṁ adhippāyo”ti.

[¶77] “But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”

> Pali: “Kathaṁ pana, bhante, devatānaṁ adhippāyo”ti?

[¶78] “The deities’ plan is this: Venerable Mahākassapa is traveling along the road from Pāvā to Kusinārā together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants. The Buddha’s funeral pyre shall not burn until he bows with his head to the Buddha’s feet.”

> Pali: “Devatānaṁ kho, vāseṭṭhā, adhippāyo: ‘ayaṁ āyasmā mahākassapo pāvāya kusināraṁ addhānamaggappaṭipanno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi. Na tāva bhagavato citako pajjalissati, yāvāyasmā mahākassapo bhagavato pāde sirasā na vandissatī’”ti.

[¶79] “Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”

> Pali: “Yathā, bhante, devatānaṁ adhippāyo, tathā hotū”ti.

[¶80] Then Venerable Mahākassapa arrived at the Mallian shrine named Coronation at Kusinārā and approached the Buddha’s funeral pyre. Arranging his robe over one shoulder and raising his joined palms, he respectfully circled the Buddha three times, keeping him on his right, and bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet. And the five hundred mendicants did likewise. And when Mahākassapa and the five hundred mendicants bowed the Buddha’s funeral pyre burst into flames all by itself.

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo yena kusinārā makuṭabandhanaṁ nāma mallānaṁ cetiyaṁ, yena bhagavato citako tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā añjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tikkhattuṁ citakaṁ padakkhiṇaṁ katvā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandi. Tānipi kho pañcabhikkhusatāni ekaṁsaṁ cīvaraṁ katvā añjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tikkhattuṁ citakaṁ padakkhiṇaṁ katvā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandiṁsu. Vandite ca panāyasmatā mahākassapena tehi ca pañcahi bhikkhusatehi sayameva bhagavato citako pajjali.

[¶81] And when the Buddha’s corpse was cremated no ash or soot was found from outer or inner skin, flesh, sinews, or synovial fluid. Only the relics remained. It’s like when ghee or oil blaze and burn, and neither ashes nor soot are found. In the same way, when the Buddha’s corpse was cremated no ash or soot was found from outer or inner skin, flesh, sinews, or synovial fluid. Only the relics remained. And of those five hundred pairs of garments only two were not burnt: the innermost and the outermost. But when the Buddha’s corpse was consumed the funeral pyre was extinguished by a stream of water that appeared in the sky, by water dripping from the sal trees, and by the Mallas’ fragrant water.

> Pali: Jhāyamānassa kho pana bhagavato sarīrassa yaṁ ahosi chavīti vā cammanti vā maṁsanti vā nhārūti vā lasikāti vā, tassa neva chārikā paññāyittha, na masi; sarīrāneva avasissiṁsu. Seyyathāpi nāma sappissa vā telassa vā jhāyamānassa neva chārikā paññāyati, na masi; evameva bhagavato sarīrassa jhāyamānassa yaṁ ahosi chavīti vā cammanti vā maṁsanti vā nhārūti vā lasikāti vā, tassa neva chārikā paññāyittha, na masi; sarīrāneva avasissiṁsu. Tesañca pañcannaṁ dussayugasatānaṁ dveva dussāni na ḍayhiṁsu yañca sabbaabbhantarimaṁ yañca bāhiraṁ. Daḍḍhe ca kho pana bhagavato sarīre antalikkhā udakadhārā pātubhavitvā bhagavato citakaṁ nibbāpesi. Udakasālatopi abbhunnamitvā bhagavato citakaṁ nibbāpesi. Kosinārakāpi mallā sabbagandhodakena bhagavato citakaṁ nibbāpesuṁ.

[¶82] Then the Mallas made a cage of spears for the Buddha’s relics in the town hall and surrounded it with a buttress of bows. For seven days they honored, respected, revered, and venerated them with dance and song and music and garlands and fragrances.

> Pali: Atha kho kosinārakā mallā bhagavato sarīrāni sattāhaṁ sandhāgāre sattipañjaraṁ karitvā dhanupākāraṁ parikkhipāpetvā naccehi gītehi vāditehi mālehi gandhehi sakkariṁsu garuṁ kariṁsu mānesuṁ pūjesuṁ.

[¶83] 39. Distributing the Relics

> Pali: 39. Sarīradhātuvibhajana

[¶84] King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. He sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and so am I. I too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. I will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosi kho rājā māgadho ajātasattu vedehiputto: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho rājā māgadho ajātasattu vedehiputto kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesi: “bhagavāpi khattiyo ahampi khattiyo, ahampi arahāmi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, ahampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmī”ti.

[¶85] The Licchavis of Vesālī also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and so are we. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho vesālikā licchavī: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho vesālikā licchavī kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavāpi khattiyo mayampi khattiyā, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶86] The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was our foremost relative. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho kapilavatthuvāsī sakyā: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho kapilavatthuvāsī sakyā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavā amhākaṁ ñātiseṭṭho, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶87] The Bulis of Allakappa also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and so are we. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho allakappakā bulayo: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho allakappakā bulayo kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavāpi khattiyo mayampi khattiyā, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶88] The Koliyans of Rāmagāma also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and so are we. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho rāmagāmakā koḷiyā: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho rāmagāmakā koḷiyā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavāpi khattiyo mayampi khattiyā, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶89] The brahmin of Veṭhadīpa also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. He sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and I am a brahmin. I too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. I will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosi kho veṭṭhadīpako brāhmaṇo: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho veṭṭhadīpako brāhmaṇo kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesi: “bhagavāpi khattiyo ahampismi brāhmaṇo, ahampi arahāmi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, ahampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmī”ti.

[¶90] The Mallas of Pāvā also heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat and so are we. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho pāveyyakā mallā: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho pāveyyakā mallā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavāpi khattiyo mayampi khattiyā, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶91] When they had spoken, the Mallas of Kusinārā said to those various groups: “The Buddha was fully quenched in our village district. We will not give away a share of his relics.”

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, kosinārakā mallā te saṅghe gaṇe etadavocuṁ: “bhagavā amhākaṁ gāmakkhette parinibbuto, na mayaṁ dassāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgan”ti.

[¶92] Then Doṇa the brahmin said to those various groups:

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, doṇo brāhmaṇo te saṅghe gaṇe etadavoca:

[¶93] “Hear, worthy sirs, a single word from me.
Our Buddha’s teaching was acceptance.
It would not be good to fight over
a share of the supreme individual’s relics.

> Pali: “Suṇantu bhonto mama ekavācaṁ,
Amhāka buddho ahu khantivādo;
Na hi sādhu yaṁ uttamapuggalassa,
Sarīrabhāge siyā sampahāro.

[¶94] Let us make eight portions, worthy sirs,
rejoicing in unity and harmony.
Let there be monuments far and wide,
so many folk may gain faith in the Clear-eyed One!”

> Pali: Sabbeva bhonto sahitā samaggā,
Sammodamānā karomaṭṭhabhāge;
Vitthārikā hontu disāsu thūpā,
Bahū janā cakkhumato pasannā”ti.

[¶95] “Well then, brahmin, you yourself should fairly divide the Buddha’s relics in eight portions.”

> Pali: “Tena hi, brāhmaṇa, tvaññeva bhagavato sarīrāni aṭṭhadhā samaṁ savibhattaṁ vibhajāhī”ti.

[¶96] “Yes, worthy sirs,” replied Doṇa to those various groups. He divided the relics as asked and said to them, “Worthy sirs, please give me the urn, and I shall build a monument for it and conduct a memorial service.” So they gave Doṇa the urn.

> Pali: “Evaṁ, bho”ti kho doṇo brāhmaṇo tesaṁ saṅghānaṁ gaṇānaṁ paṭissutvā bhagavato sarīrāni aṭṭhadhā samaṁ suvibhattaṁ vibhajitvā te saṅghe gaṇe etadavoca: “imaṁ me bhonto tumbaṁ dadantu ahampi tumbassa thūpañca mahañca karissāmī”ti. Adaṁsu kho te doṇassa brāhmaṇassa tumbaṁ.

[¶97] The Moriyas of Pippalivana heard that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā. They sent an envoy to the Mallas of Kusinārā: “The Buddha was an aristocrat, and so are we. We too deserve a share of the Buddha’s relics. We will build a monument for them and conduct a memorial service.”

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho pippalivaniyā moriyā: “bhagavā kira kusinārāyaṁ parinibbuto”ti. Atha kho pippalivaniyā moriyā kosinārakānaṁ mallānaṁ dūtaṁ pāhesuṁ: “bhagavāpi khattiyo mayampi khattiyā, mayampi arahāma bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgaṁ, mayampi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca karissāmā”ti.

[¶98] “There is no portion of the Buddha’s relics left, they have already been portioned out. Here, take the embers.” So they took the embers.

> Pali: “Natthi bhagavato sarīrānaṁ bhāgo, vibhattāni bhagavato sarīrāni. Ito aṅgāraṁ harathā”ti. Te tato aṅgāraṁ hariṁsu.

[¶99] 40. Venerating the Relics

> Pali: 40. Dhātuthūpapūjā

[¶100] Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, the Licchavis of Vesālī, the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu, the Bulis of Allakappa, the Koliyans of Rāmagāma, the brahmin of Veṭhadīpa, the Mallas of Pāvā, the Mallas of Kusinārā, the brahmin Doṇa, and the Moriyas of Pippalivana built monuments for them and conducted memorial services. Thus there were eight monuments for the relics, a ninth for the urn, and a tenth for the embers. That is how it was in the old days.

> Pali: Atha kho rājā māgadho ajātasattu vedehiputto rājagahe bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akāsi. Vesālikāpi licchavī vesāliyaṁ bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Kapilavatthuvāsīpi sakyā kapilavatthusmiṁ bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Allakappakāpi bulayo allakappe bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Rāmagāmakāpi koḷiyā rāmagāme bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Veṭṭhadīpakopi brāhmaṇo veṭṭhadīpe bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akāsi. Pāveyyakāpi mallā pāvāyaṁ bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Kosinārakāpi mallā kusinārāyaṁ bhagavato sarīrānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Doṇopi brāhmaṇo tumbassa thūpañca mahañca akāsi. Pippalivaniyāpi moriyā pippalivane aṅgārānaṁ thūpañca mahañca akaṁsu. Iti aṭṭha sarīrathūpā navamo tumbathūpo dasamo aṅgārathūpo. Evametaṁ bhūtapubbanti.

[¶101] There were eight shares <j>of the Clear-eyed One’s relics.
Seven were worshiped in the Black Plum Tree Land.
But one share of the most excellent of men
was worshiped in Rāmagāma by a dragon king.

> Pali: Aṭṭhadoṇaṁ cakkhumato sarīraṁ,
Sattadoṇaṁ jambudīpe mahenti;
Ekañca doṇaṁ purisavaruttamassa,
Rāmagāme nāgarājā maheti.

[¶102] One tooth is venerated <j>by the gods of the Third Heaven,
and one is worshiped in the city of Gandhāra;
another one in the realm of the Kaliṅga King,
and one is worshiped by a dragon king.

> Pali: Ekāhi dāṭhā tidivehi pūjitā,
Ekā pana gandhārapure mahīyati;
Kāliṅgarañño vijite punekaṁ,
Ekaṁ pana nāgarājā maheti.

[¶103] Through their glory this rich earth
is adorned with the best of offerings.
Thus the Clear-eyed One’s corpse
is well honored by the honorable.

> Pali: Tasseva tejena ayaṁ vasundharā,
Āyāgaseṭṭhehi mahī alaṅkatā;
Evaṁ imaṁ cakkhumato sarīraṁ,
Susakkataṁ sakkatasakkatehi.

[¶104] It’s venerated by lords of gods, dragons, and fairies;
and likewise venerated by the finest lords of men.
Honor it with cupped palms when you get the chance,
for a Buddha is rare even in a hundred eons.

> Pali: Devindanāgindanarindapūjito,
Manussindaseṭṭhehi tatheva pūjito;
Taṁ vandatha pañjalikā labhitvā,
Buddho have kappasatehi dullabhoti.

[¶105] Altogether forty even teeth,
and the body hair and head hair,
were carried off individually by gods
across the universe.

> Pali: Cattālīsa samā dantā,
kesā lomā ca sabbaso;
Devā hariṁsu ekekaṁ,
cakkavāḷaparamparāti.

[¶106] > Pali: Mahāparinibbānasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.