1 TheGreatDiscourseontheTotalUnbinding MahaParinibbanaSutta(DighaNikaya16) (excerpt)

V. ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda:Ananda,letsgotothefarshoreof theHiraavatiRiver.WellheadforUpavattana,theMallanssalgrovenear Kusinara. Asyousay,lord,Ven.AnandarespondedtotheBlessedOne. ThentheBlessedOnewithalargecommunityofmonkswenttothefarshore oftheHiraavatiRiverandheadedforUpavattana,theMallanssalgrove nearKusinara.Onarrival,hesaidtoVen.Ananda,Ananda,pleasepreparea bedformebetweenthetwinsaltrees,withitsheadtothenorth.Iamtired,and willliedown. Responding,Asyousay,lord,Ven.Anandapreparedabedbetweenthe twinsaltrees,withitsheadtothenorth.ThentheBlessedOnelaydownonhis rightsideinthelionssleepingposture,withonefootontopoftheother, mindful&alert.1 Nowatthattimethetwinsaltreeswereinfullbloom,eventhoughitwasnot thetimeforflowering.Theyshowered,strewed,&sprinkledontheTathagatas bodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlycoraltreeblossomsfellfromthesky, showering,strewing,&sprinklingtheTathagatasbodyinhomagetohim. Heavenlysandalwoodpowderfellfromthesky,showering,strewing,& sprinklingtheTathagatasbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlymusicwasplaying inthesky,inhomagetotheTathagata.Heavenlysongsweresunginthesky,in homagetotheTathagata. ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,Ananda,thetwinsaltreesare infullbloom,eventhoughitsnotthefloweringseason.Theyshower,strew,& sprinkleontheTathagatasbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlycoraltree blossomsarefallingfromthesky....Heavenlysandalwoodpowderisfalling fromthesky....Heavenlymusicisplayinginthesky....Heavenlysongsare sunginthesky,inhomagetotheTathagata.Butitisnottothisextentthata Tathagataisworshipped,honored,respected,venerated,orpaidhomageto.

2 Rather,themonk,nun,malelayfollower,orfemalelayfollowerwhokeeps practicingtheDhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma,whokeepspracticing masterfully,wholivesinaccordancewiththeDhamma:thatisthepersonwho worships,honors,respects,venerates,&payshomagetotheTathagatawiththe highesthomage.Soyoushouldtrainyourselves:Wewillkeeppracticingthe DhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma,wewillkeeppracticingmasterfully, wewillliveinaccordancewiththeDhamma.Thatshowyoushouldtrain yourselves. NowatthattimeVen.UpavanawasstandinginfrontoftheBlessedOne, fanninghim.ThentheBlessedOnedismissedhim,saying,Goaway,monk. Dontstandinfrontofme.ThenthethoughtoccurredtoVen.Ananda,Fora longtime,now,thisVen.UpavanahasbeenanattendanttotheBlessedOne, stayingnearhimandtravelingwithhim.Butnow,inhisfinalhour,hedismisses him,saying,Goaway,monk.Dontstandinfrontofme.Nowwhatisthe reason,whatisthecause,whytheBlessedOnedismisseshim,saying,Go away,monk.Dontstandinfrontofme? ThenVen.AnandasaidtotheBlessedOne,Foralongtime,now,thisVen. UpavanahasbeenanattendanttotheBlessedOne,stayingnearhimand travelingwithhim.Butnow,inhisfinalhour,hedismisseshim,saying,Go away,monk.Dontstandinfrontofme.Nowwhatisthereason,whatisthe cause,whytheBlessedOnedismisseshim,saying,Goaway,monk.Dont standinfrontofme? Ananda,mostofthedevatasfromtenworldsystemshavegatheredin ordertoseetheTathagata.FortwelveleaguesallaroundUpavattana,the MallanssalgrovenearKusinara,thereisnotthespaceevenofthetipofa horsetailhairthatisnotoccupiedbyeminentdevatas.Thedevatas,Ananda,are complaining,WehavecomealongdistancetoseetheTathagata.2Onlyoncein along,longtimedoesaTathagataworthy&rightlyselfawakenedariseinthe world.Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalUnbindingofthe Tathagatawilloccur.AndthiseminentmonkisstandinginfrontoftheBlessed One,blockingtheway.WearentgettingtoseetheBlessedOneinhisfinal hour. But,lord,whatisthestateofthedevatastheBlessedOneisreferringto? Ananda,therearedevataswhoperceivespacetobeearth.Tearingattheir hair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheirarms,theyareweeping.Asiftheirfeet werecutoutfromunderthem,3theyfalldownandrollback&forth,crying, Alltoosoon,theBlessedOnewillbetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOne

3 Wellgonewillbetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyes(alternate reading:theEye)willdisappearfromtheworld!Thentherearedevataswho perceiveearthtobeearth.Tearingattheirhair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheir arms,theyareweeping.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfall downandrollback&forth,crying,Alltoosoon,theBlessedOnewillbetotally unbound!Alltoosoon,theOneWellgonewillbetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon, theOnewithEyeswilldisappearfromtheworld!Butthosedevataswhoare freefrompassionacquiesce,mindful&alert:Fabricationsareinconstant.What elseistheretoexpect? Inthepast,lord,themonksinalldirections,afterendingtheRainsretreat, cametoseetheTathagata.Thuswegottosee&attendtothemonkswhoinspire theheart.Butnow,aftertheBlessedOneisgone,wewontgettoseeorattend tothemonkswhoinspiretheheart. Ananda,therearethesefourplacesthatmeritbeingseenbyaclansman withconviction,thatmerithisfeelingsofurgency&dismay(samvega).Which four?HeretheTathagatawasbornisaplacethatmeritsbeingseenbya clansmanwithconviction,thatmeritshisfeelingsofurgency&dismay.Here theTathagataawakenedtotheunexcelledrightselfawakening....Herethe TathagatasetrollingtheunexcelledwheelofDhamma....HeretheTathagata wastotallyunboundintheremainderlesspropertyofUnbindingisaplacethat meritsbeingseenbyaclansmanwithconviction,thatmeritshisfeelingsof urgency&dismay.Thesearethefourplacesthatmeritbeingseenbyaclansman withconviction,thatmerithisfeelingsofurgency&dismay.Theywillcomeout ofconviction,Anandamonks,nuns,malelayfollowers,&femalelay followerstothespotswhereHeretheTathagatawasborn,Herethe Tathagataawakenedtotheunexcelledrightselfawakening,Herethe TathagatasetrollingtheunexcelledwheelofDhamma,HeretheTathagata wastotallyunboundintheremainderlesspropertyofUnbinding.Andanyone whodieswhilemakingapilgrimagetothesememorialswithabright,confident mindwillonthebreakupofthebody,afterdeathreappearinagood destination,theheavenlyworld. Lord,whatcourseshouldwefollowwithregardtowomenfolk? Notseeing,Ananda Butwhenthereisseeing,lord,whatcourseshouldbefollowed? Notaddressing,Ananda. Butwhenweareaddressed,whatcourseshouldbefollowed? Mindfulnessshouldbeestablished,Ananda.

4 And,lord,whatcourseshouldwefollowwithregardtotheTathagatas body? YouarenottobeconcernedabouttheTathagatasfuneral.Please,Ananda, striveforthetruegoal,becommittedtothetruegoal,dwellheedful,ardent,& resoluteforthesakeofthetruegoal.Therearewisenobles,brahmans,& householderswhoarehighlyconfidentintheTathagata.Theywillconductthe Tathagatasfuneral. But,lord,whatcourseshouldbefollowedwithregardtotheTathagatas body? Thecoursetheyfollowwithregardtothebodyofawheelturning monarch,Ananda,isthecoursethatshouldbefollowedwithregardtothebody oftheTathagata. Andwhat,lord,isthecoursetheyfollowwithregardtothebodyofa wheelturningmonarch? Ananda,theywrapthebodyofawheelturningmonarchinnewlinen cloth.Havingwrappeditinnewlinencloth,theywrapitinteasedcottonwool. Havingwrappeditinteasedcottonwool,theywrapitinnewlinencloth. Havingdonethisfivehundredtimes,theyplacethebodyinanironoilvat, coveritwithanironlid,makeapyrecomposedtotallyofperfumedsubstances, andcrematethebody.Thentheybuildaburialmoundforthewheelturning monarchatagreatfourwayintersection.Thatisthecoursethattheyfollowwith regardtothebodyofawheelturningmonarch.Thecoursetheyfollowwith regardtothebodyofawheelturningmonarch,Ananda,isthecoursethat shouldbefollowedwithregardtothebodyoftheTathagata.Aburialmoundfor theTathagataistobebuiltatagreatfourwayintersection.Andthosewhooffer agarland,ascent,oraperfumepowderthere,orbowdownthere,orbrighten theirmindsthere:thatwillbefortheirlongtermwelfare&happiness. Therearethesefourwhoareworthyofaburialmound.Whichfour?A Tathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened,isworthyofaburialmound.A PrivateBuddha...adiscipleofaTathagata...awheelturningmonarchisworthy ofaburialmound. AndforwhatreasonisaTathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened, worthyofaburialmound?[Atthethought,]Thisistheburialmoundofa Tathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened,manypeoplewillbrightentheir minds.Havingbrightenedtheirmindsthere,thenonthebreakupofthebody, afterdeaththeywillreappearinagooddestination,theheavenlyworld.Itis

5 forthisreasonthataTathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened,isworthyofa burialmound. AndforwhatreasonisaPrivateBuddhaworthyofaburialmound?[Atthe thought,]ThisistheburialmoundofaPrivateBuddha,manypeoplewill brightentheirminds.Havingbrightenedtheirmindsthere,thenonthebreak upofthebody,afterdeaththeywillreappearinagooddestination,the heavenlyworld.... AndforwhatreasonisadiscipleofaTathagataworthyofaburialmound? [Atthethought,]ThisistheburialmoundofadiscipleofaTathagata,many peoplewillbrightentheirminds.Havingbrightenedtheirmindsthere,thenon thebreakupofthebody,afterdeaththeywillreappearinagooddestination, theheavenlyworld.... Andforwhatreasonisawheelturningmonarchworthyofaburial mound?[Atthethought,]Thisistheburialmoundofawheelturning monarch,manypeoplewillbrightentheirminds.Havingbrightenedtheir mindsthere,thenonthebreakupofthebody,afterdeaththeywillreappear inagooddestination,theheavenlyworld.Itisforthisreasonthatawheel turningmonarchisworthyofaburialmound. Thesearethefourwhoareworthyofaburialmound. ThenVen.Ananda,goingintoa[nearby]building,stoodleaningagainstthe doorjamb,weeping:HereIam,stillintraining,withworklefttodo,andthe totalUnbindingofmyteacherisabouttooccurtheteacherwhohashadsuch sympathyforme! ThentheBlessedOnesaidtothemonks,Monks,whereisAnanda? Lord,Ven.Ananda,havinggoneintothatbuilding,standsleaningagainst thedoorjamb,weeping:HereIam,stillintraining,withworklefttodo,and thetotalUnbindingofmyteacherisabouttooccurtheteacherwhohashad suchsympathyforme! ThentheBlessedOnetoldacertainmonk,Come,monk.Inmyname,call Ananda,saying,TheTeachercallsyou,myfriend. Asyousay,lord,themonkansweredand,havinggonetoVen.Ananda, onarrivalhesaid,TheTeachercallsyou,myfriend. Asyousay,myfriend,Ven.Anandareplied.ThenhewenttotheBlessed Oneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewas sittingthere,theBlessedOnesaidtohim,Enough,Ananda.Dontgrieve. Dontlament.HaventIalreadytaughtyouthestateofgrowingdifferentwith regardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateofbecomingseparate,thestateof

6 becomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect?Itsimpossiblethatonecould forbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfrom disintegrating. Foralongtime,Ananda,youhavewaitedontheTathagatawithphysical actsofgoodwillhelpful,happy,wholehearted,withoutlimit;withverbalacts ofgoodwill...withmentalactsofgoodwillhelpful,happy,wholehearted, withoutlimit.Youareonewhohasmademerit.Commityourselftoexertion, andsoonyouwillbewithoutmentalfermentations. ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,Monks,thosewho,inthepast, wereworthyones,rightlyselfawakened,hadforemostattendants,justasIhave hadAnanda.Thosewho,inthefuture,willbeworthyones,rightlyself awakened,willhaveforemostattendants,justasIhavehadAnanda.Anandais wise,heknows,ThisisthetimetoapproachtoseetheTathagata.Thisisthe timeformonks,thisthetimefornuns,thisthetimeformalelayfollowers,this thetimeforfemalelayfollowers,thisthetimeforkings&theirministers,this thetimeforsectarians,thisthetimeforthefollowersofsectarians. Therearethesefourmarvelous&amazingqualitiesinAnanda.Ifagroup ofmonksapproachestoseeAnanda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.Ifhe speaksDhammatothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyare sated,hefallssilent.IfagroupofnunsapproachestoseeAnanda...Ifagroupof malelayfollowersapproachestoseeAnanda...Ifagroupoffemalelayfollowers approachestoseeAnanda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.Ifhespeaks Dhammatothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,he fallssilent.Thesearethefourmarvelous&amazingqualitiesinAnanda.There arethesefourmarvelous&amazingqualitiesinawheelturningmonarch.Ifa groupofnoblewarriorsapproachestoseehim...Ifagroupofbrahmans approachestoseehim...Ifagroupofhouseholdersapproachestoseehim...Ifa groupofcontemplativesapproachestoseehim,theyaregratifiedatthesightof him.Ifhespeakstothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyare sated,hefallssilent.Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefourmarvelous& amazingqualitiesinAnanda.Ifagroupofmonks...agroupofnuns...agroup ofmalelayfollowers...agroupoffemalelayfollowersapproachestosee Ananda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.IfhespeaksDhammatothem, theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,hefallssilent.These arethefourmarvelous&amazingqualitiesinAnanda. Whenthiswassaid,Ven.AnandasaidtotheBlessedOne,Lord,maythe BlessedOnenotbetotallyunboundinthislittletown,thisdustytown,this

7 branchtownship.Thereareothergreatcities:Campa,Rajagaha,Savatthi,Saketa, Kosambi,Vanarasi.MaytheBlessedOnebetotallyunboundthere.Inthosecities therearemanywealthynoblewarriors,brahmans,&householderswhohave highconfidenceintheTathagata.TheywillconducttheTathagatasfuneral. Dontsaythat,Ananda.Dontsaythat:thislittletown,thisdustytown, thisbranchtownship.Inthepast,Ananda,akingnamedMahasudassanawas awheelturningmonarch,arighteouskingrulingrighteously,whowasa conquerorofthefourdirections,astabilizerofhiscountry,endowedwiththe seventreasures.ThisKusinarawashiscapitalcity,namedKusavati:twelve leagueslongfromeasttowest,sevenleagueswidefromnorthtosouth.Kusavati waspowerful,rich,&wellpopulated,crowdedwithpeople&prosperous.Just asthecapitalcityofthedevas,namedAlakamandaispowerful,rich,&well populated,crowdedwithyakkhas&prosperous;inthesameway,Kusavatiwas powerful,rich,&wellpopulated,crowdedwithpeople&prosperous.Bydayor bynight,itwasneverlackingintensounds:thesoundofelephants,horses,carts, drums,tabors,lutes,songs,cymbals,gongs,withcriesofEat!Drink!Snack! asthetenth. Now,Ananda,gointoKusinaraandannouncetotheKusinaraMallans, Tonight,Vasitthas,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalUnbindingofthe Tathagatawilloccur.Comeout,Vasitthas!Comeout,Vasitthas!Dontlater regretthatTheTathagatastotalUnbindingoccurredwithinthebordersof ourveryowntown,butwedidntgettoseehiminhisfinalhour! Responding,Asyousay,lord,Ven.Anandaputonhisrobeandcarrying hisbowl&outerrobewentunaccompaniedintoKusinara.Nowatthattimethe KusinaraMallanshadmetforsomebusinessintheirassemblyhall.Ven.Ananda wenttotheassemblyhallandonarrivalannouncedtothem,Tonight, Vasitthas,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalUnbindingoftheTathagatawill occur.Comeout,Vasitthas!Comeout,Vasitthas!DontlaterregretthatThe TathagatastotalUnbindingoccurredwithinthebordersofourveryowntown, butwedidntgettoseehiminhisfinalhour!WhentheyheardVen. Ananda,theMallanstogetherwiththeirsons,daughters,&wiveswereshocked, saddened,theirmindsoverflowingwithsorrow.Someofthemwept,tearingat theirhair;theywept,upliftingtheirarms.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfrom underthem,theyfelldownandrolledback&forth,crying,Alltoosoon,the BlessedOnewillbetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOneWellgonewillbe totallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeswilldisappearfromtheworld!

8 ThentheMallanstogetherwiththeirsons,daughters,&wivesshocked, saddened,theirmindsoverflowingwithsorrowwenttoVen.Anandaat Upavattana,theMallanssalgrovenearKusinara.ThethoughtoccurredtoVen. Ananda,IfIlettheMallanspayreverencetotheBlessedOneonebyone,the nightwillbeoverbeforetheyhavefinishedpayingreverence.WhatifIwereto havethempayreverencetotheBlessedOnearrangingthemfamilybyfamily, announcing,Lord,theMallannamedso&so,togetherwithhischildren& wives,servants&retainers,bowsdownwithhisheadattheBlessedOnes feet.4SoVen.Ananda,arrangingtheMallansfamilybyfamily,hadthempay reverencetotheBlessedOne,[saying,]Lord,theMallannamedso&so, togetherwithhischildren&wives,servants&retainers,bowsdownwithhis headattheBlessedOnesfeet. InthiswayVen.AnandagottheMallanstopayreverencetotheBlessedOne withinthefirstwatchofthenight. NowatthattimeSubhaddatheWandererwasstayinginKusinara.Heheard, Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalUnbindingofGotamathe contemplativewilltakeplace.Thenthethoughtoccurredtohim:Ihave heardtheelderwanderers,teachersofteachers,sayingthatonlyonceinalong, longtimedoTathagatasworthyones,rightlyselfawakenedappearinthe world.Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalUnbindingofGotamathe contemplativewilloccur.Nowthereisadoubtthathasariseninme,butIhave faiththathecouldteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatImightabandon thatdoubt. SohewenttoUpavattana,theMallanssalgroveand,onarrival,saidto Ven.Ananda,Ihaveheardtheelderwanderers,teachersofteachers,saying thatonlyonceinalong,longtimedoTathagatasworthyones,rightlyself awakenedappearintheworld.Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotal UnbindingofGotamathecontemplativewilloccur.Nowthereisadoubtthat hasariseninme,butIhavefaiththathecouldteachmetheDhammainsucha waythatImightabandonthatdoubt.Itwouldbegood,Ven.Ananda,ifyou wouldletmeseehim. Whenthiswassaid,Ven.Anandasaidtohim,Enough,friendSubhadda. DontbothertheBlessedOne.TheBlessedOneistired. Forasecondtime...Forathirdtime,SubhaddatheWanderersaidtoVen. Ananda,...Itwouldbegood,Ven.Ananda,ifyouwouldletmeseehim. Forathirdtime,Ven.Anandasaidtohim,Enough,friendSubhadda. DontbothertheBlessedOne.TheBlessedOneistired.

9 Now,theBlessedOneheardtheexchangebetweenVen.Ananda&Subhadda theWanderer,andsohesaidtoVen.Ananda,Enough,Ananda.Dontstand inhisway.LethimseetheTathagata.Whateverheasksmewillallbeforthe sakeofknowledge,andnottobebothersome.AndwhateverIanswerwhen asked,hewillquicklyunderstand. SoVen.AnandasaidtoSubhaddatheWanderer,Goahead,friend Subhadda.TheBlessedOnegivesyouhisleave. ThenSubhaddawenttotheBlessedOneandexchangedcourteousgreetings withhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside. Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne,Venerablesir,thesepriests &contemplatives,eachwithhisgroup,eachwithhiscommunity,eachthe teacherofhisgroup,anhonoredleader,wellregardedbypeopleatlargei.e., PuranaKassapa,MakkhaliGosala,AjitaKesakambalin,PakudhaKaccayana,Sa jayaBelatthaputta,&theNiganthaNataputta:Dotheyallhavedirectknowledge astheythemselvesclaim,ordotheyallnothavedirectknowledge,ordosomeof themhavedirectknowledgeandsomeofthemnot? Enough,Subhadda.Putthisquestionaside.IwillteachyoutheDhamma. Listen,andpaycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Yes,lord,Subhaddaanswered,andtheBlessedOnesaid,Inany doctrine&disciplinewherethenobleeightfoldpathisnotfound,no contemplativeofthefirst...second...third...fourthorder[streamwinner,once returner,nonreturner,orArahant]isfound.Butinanydoctrine&discipline wherethenobleeightfoldpathisfound,contemplativesofthefirst...second... third...fourthorderarefound.Thenobleeightfoldpathisfoundinthisdoctrine &discipline,andrightheretherearecontemplativesofthefirst...second...third ...fourthorder.Otherteachingsareemptyofknowledgeablecontemplatives. Andifthemonksdwellrightly,thisworldwillnotbeemptyofArahants. AtagetwentynineIwentforth, seekingwhatmightbeskillful, andsincemygoingforth morethanfiftyyearshavepast. Outsideoftherealm ofmethodicalDhamma, thereisnocontemplative.

10 Andnocontemplativeofthesecond...third...fourthorder.Otherteachingsare emptyofknowledgeablecontemplatives.Andifthemonksdwellrightly,this worldwillnotbeemptyofArahants. ThenSubhaddatheWanderersaid,Magnificent,lord!Magnificent!Justasif heweretoplaceuprightwhatwasoverturned,torevealwhatwashidden,to showthewaytoonewhowaslost,ortocarryalampintothedarksothatthose witheyescouldseeforms,inthesamewayhastheBlessedOnethroughmany linesofreasoningmadetheDhammaclear.IgototheBlessedOneforrefuge, totheDhamma,andtothecommunityofmonks.Letmeobtainthegoingforth intheBlessedOnespresence,letmeobtainadmission. Anyone,Subhadda,whohaspreviouslybelongedtoanothersectandwho desiresthegoingforth&admissioninthisdoctrine&discipline,mustfirst undergoprobationforfourmonths.If,attheendoffourmonths,themonksfeel somoved,theygivehimthegoingforth&admithimtothemonksstate.ButI knowdistinctionsamongindividualsinthismatter. Lord,ifthatisso,Iamwillingtoundergoprobationforfouryears.If,atthe endoffouryears,themonksfeelsomoved,letthemgivemethegoingforth& admitmetothemonksstate. ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,Verywellthen,Ananda,give Subhaddathegoingforth. Yes,lord,Anandaanswered. ThenSubhaddasaidtoVen.Ananda,Itisagainforyou,Ananda,agreat gain,thatyouhavebeenanointedhereintheTeacherspresencewiththe pupilsanointing.5 ThenSubhaddatheWandererobtainedthegoingforthintheBlessedOnes presence,heobtainedadmission.Andnotlongafterhisadmissiondwelling alone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resoluteheinnolongtimereached& remainedinthesupremegoaloftheholylife,forwhichclansmenrightlygo forthfromhomeintohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthe here&now.Heknew:Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone. Thereisnothingfurtherforthesakeofthisworld.AndthusVen.Subhadda becameanotheroneoftheArahants,thelastoftheBlessedOnesfacetoface disciples. VI.

11 ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,Now,ifitoccurstoanyof youTheteachinghaslostitsauthority;wearewithoutaTeacherdonot viewitinthatway.WhateverDhamma&VinayaIhavepointedout& formulatedforyou,thatwillbeyouTeacherwhenIamgone. Atpresent,themonksaddressoneanotherasfriend,butafterIamgone theyarenottoaddressoneanotherthatway.Themoreseniormonksareto addressthenewermonksbytheirnameorclanorasfriend.Thenewer monksaretoaddressthemoreseniormonksasvenerableorsir. AfterIamgone,thesanghaifitwantsmayabolishthelesser&minor trainingrules.6 AfterIamgone,themonkChannashouldbegiventhebrahmapenalty. What,lord,isthebrahmapenalty? Channamaysaywhathewants,Ananda,butheisnottobespokento, instructed,oradmonishedbythemonks.7 ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,Ifevenasinglemonkhasany doubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthe practice,ask.DontlaterregretthatTheTeacherwasfacetofacewithus,but wedidntbringourselvestoaskacounterquestioninhispresence. Whenthiswassaid,themonksweresilent. Asecondtime,theBlessedOnesaid,Ifevenoneofthemonkshasany doubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthe practice,ask.DontlaterregretthatTheTeacherwasfacetofacewithus,but wedidntbringourselvestoaskacounterquestioninhispresence. Asecondtime,themonksweresilent. Athirdtime,theBlessedOnesaid,Ifevenoneofthemonkshasanydoubt orperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthe practice,ask.DontlaterregretthatTheTeacherwasfacetofacewithus,but wedidntbringourselvestoaskacounterquestioninhispresence. Athirdtime,themonksweresilent. ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,Now,ifitsoutofrespectfor theTeacherthatyoudontask,letafriendinformafriend. Whenthiswassaid,themonksweresilent. ThenVen.AnandasaidtotheBlessedOne,Itsamazing,lord.Its marvelous.Imconfidentthat,inthiscommunityofmonks,thereisnotevena singlemonkwhohasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma, orSangha,thepathorthepractice.

12 You,Ananda,speakoutofconfidence,whilethereisknowledgeinthe Tathagatathat,inthiscommunityofmonks,thereisnotevenasinglemonkwho hasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,the pathorthepractice.Ofthese500monks,themostbackwardisastreamwinner, notdestinedfortheplanesofdeprivation,headedtoselfawakeningforsure. ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,Now,then,monks,Iexhort you:Allfabricationsaresubjecttodecay.Bringaboutcompletionbybeing heedful.ThoseweretheTathagataslastwords. ThentheBlessedOneenteredthefirstjhana.Emergingfromthatheentered thesecondjhana.Emergingfromthat,heenteredthethird...thefourthjhana... thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeof consciousness...thedimensionofnothingness...thedimensionofneither perceptionnornonperception.Emergingfromthat,heenteredthecessationof perception&feeling. ThenVen.AnandasaidtoVen.Anuruddha,Ven.Anuruddha,8theBlessed Oneistotallyunbound. No,friendAnanda.TheBlessedOneisnttotallyunbound.Hehasentered thecessationofperception&feeling. ThentheBlessedOne,emergingfromthecessationofperception&feeling, enteredthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornonperception.Emergingfrom that,heenteredthedimensionofnothingness...thedimensionoftheinfinitude ofconsciousness...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace...thefourthjhana... thethird...thesecond...thefirstjhana.Emergingfromthefirstjhanaheentered thesecond...thethird...thefourthjhana.Emergingfromthefourthjhana,he immediatelywastotallyUnbound. WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,therewasagreatearthquake,awesome&hairraising,andthe drumsofthedevassounded. WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,SahampatiBrahmautteredthisverse: Allbeingsallintheworld, willcastoffthebodilyheap intheworld whereaTeacherlikethis withoutpeerintheworld theTathagata,withstrengthattained,

13 theRightlySelfAwakenedOne, hasbeentotally Unbound. WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,Sakka,rulerofthegods,utteredthisverse: Howinconstantarecompoundedthings! Theirnature:toarise&passaway. Theydisband astheyarearising. Theirtotalstillingisbliss. WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,Ven.Anuruddhautteredthisverse: Hehadnoin&outbreathing, theonewhowasSuch,thefirmmindedone, imperturbable &bentonpeace: thesagecompletinghisspan. Withheartunbowed heenduredthepain. Likeaflamesunbinding wastheliberation ofawareness.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,Ven.Anandautteredthisverse: Itwasaweinspiring. Itwashairraising when,displayingtheforemost accomplishmentinallthings, theRightlySelfAwakenedOne wastotallyUnbound.

14 WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyUnbound,simultaneouslywiththetotal Unbinding,someofthemonkspresentwhowerenotwithoutpassionwept, upliftingtheirarms.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfelldown androlledback&forth,crying,AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotally unbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWellgonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,the OnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromtheworld!Butthosemonkswhowere freefrompassionacquiesced,mindful&alert:Fabricationsareinconstant. Whatelseistheretoexpect? ThenVen.Anuruddhaaddressedthemonks,Enough,friends.Dont grieve.Dontlament.HasnttheBlessedOnealreadytaughtthestateof growingdifferentwithregardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateof becomingseparate,thestateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect? Itsimpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,& subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating.Thedevatas,friends,are complaining. [Ananda:]But,Ven.Anuruddha,whatisthestateofthedevatastheBlessed Oneisreferringto? FriendAnanda,therearedevataswhoperceivespacetobeearth.Tearingat theirhair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheirarms,theyareweeping.Asiftheir feetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfalldownandrollback&forth,crying, AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWell gonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromthe world!Thentherearedevataswhoperceiveearthtobeearth.Tearingattheir hair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheirarms,theyareweeping.Asiftheirfeet werecutoutfromunderthem,theyfalldownandrollback&forth,crying,All toosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWellgone totallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromthe world!Butthosedevataswhoarefreefrompassionacquiesce,mindful&alert: Fabricationsareinconstant.Whatelseistheretoexpect? ThenVen.Anuruddha&Ven.Anandaspenttheremainderofthenightin Dhammatalk. ThenVen.AnuruddhasaidtoVen.Ananda,Go,friendAnanda.Entering Kusinara,announcetotheKusinaraMallans,TheBlessedOne,Vasitthas,is totallyunbound.Nowisthetimeforyoutodoasyouseefit. Responding,Asyousay,sir,Ven.Anandaintheearlymorningputonhis robeandcarryinghisbowl&outerrobewentunaccompaniedintoKusinara. NowatthattimetheKusinaraMallanshadmetforsomebusinessintheir

15 assemblyhall.Ven.Anandawenttotheassemblyhallandonarrivalannounced tothem,TheBlessedOne,Vasitthas,istotallyunbound.Nowisthetimefor youtodoasyouseefit. WhentheyheardVen.Ananda,theMallanstogetherwiththeirsons, daughters,&wiveswereshocked,saddened,theirmindsoverflowingwith sorrow.Someofthemwept,tearingattheirhair;theywept,upliftingtheirarms. Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfelldownandrolledback& forth,crying,AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!Alltoosoonis theOneWellgonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshas disappearedfromtheworld! ThentheKusinaraMallansorderedtheirmen,Inthatcase,Isay,gather scents,garlands,&allthemusicalinstrumentsinKusinara!Then,takingscents, garlands,&allthemusicalinstrumentsinKusinara,alongwith500lengthsof cloth,theKusinaraMallanswenttotheBlessedOnesbodyinUpavattana,the MallanssalgrovenearKusinara.Onarrival,theyspenttheentiredayin worshipping,honoring,respecting,&veneratingtheBlessedOnesbodywith dances,songs,music,garlands,&scents,inmakingclothcanopiesandarranging floralwreaths.Thenthethoughtoccurredtothem,Itstoolatetodayto crematetheBlessedOnesbody.WellcrematetheBlessedOnesbody tomorrow.Andsotheyspentthesecondday,thethirdday,thefourthday,the fifthday,thesixthdayinworshipping,honoring,respecting,&veneratingthe BlessedOnesbodywithdances,songs,music,garlands,&scents,inmaking clothcanopiesandarrangingfloralwreaths. Thenontheseventhdaythethoughtoccurredtothem,Worshipping, honoring,respecting,&veneratingtotheBlessedOnesbodywithdances, songs,music,garlands,&scents,letscarryittothesouth,aroundtheoutsideof thetown,andcremateittothesouthofthetown. TheneightleadingMallans,havingbathedtheirheadsandwearingnew linencloth,thinking,WellliftuptheBlessedOnesbody,wereunableto liftit.SotheKusinaraMallansaskedVen.Anuruddha,Whatisthereason,Ven. Anuruddha,whatisthecause,whytheseeightleadingMallans,havingbathed theirheadsandwearingnewlinencloth,thinking,WellliftuptheBlessed Onesbody,areunabletoliftit? Yourintention,Vasitthas,isonething.Thedevasintentionisanother. Butwhat,Ven.Anuruddha,isthedevasintention? Yourintention,Vasitthas,is,Worshipping,honoring,respecting,& veneratingtheBlessedOnesbodywithdances,songs,music,garlands,&

16 scents,letscarryittothesouth,aroundtheoutsideofthetown,andcremateit tothesouthofthetown.Thedevasintentionis,Worshipping,honoring, respecting,&veneratingtheBlessedOnesbodywithheavenlydances,songs, music,garlands,&scents,letscarryittothenorthofthetown,enterthetown throughthenorthgate,carryitthroughthemiddleofthetownandouttheeast gatetotheMallansmemorialcalledMakutabandhana,tocremateitthere. Thenletitbe,venerablesir,inlinewiththedevasintention. NowatthattimeKusinaraeventoitsrubbishheaps&cesspoolswas strewnkneedeepincoraltreeflowers.Sothedevas&theKusinaraMallans, worshipping,honoring,respecting,&veneratingtheBlessedOnesbodywith heavenly&humandances,songs,music,garlands,&scents,carriedittothe northofthetown,enteredthetownthroughthenorthgate,carrieditthroughthe middleofthetownandouttheeastgatetotheMallansmemorialcalled Makutabandhana.Theretheysetitdown. ThentheKusinaraMallanssaidtoVen.Ananda,Venerablesir,whatcourse shouldwefollowwithregardtotheTathagatasbody? Thecoursetheyfollowwithregardtothebodyofawheelturning monarch,Vasitthas,isthecoursethatshouldbefollowedwithregardtothe bodyoftheTathagata. Andwhat,venerablesir,isthecoursetheyfollowwithregardtothebody ofawheelturningmonarch? Vasitthas,theywrapthebodyofawheelturningmonarchinnewlinen cloth.Havingwrappeditinnewlinencloth,theywrapitinteasedcottonwool. Havingwrappeditinteasedcottonwool,theywrapitinnewlinencloth. Havingdonethisfivehundredtimes,theyplacethebodyinanironoilvat, coveritwithanironlid,makeapyrecomposedtotallyofperfumedsubstances, andcrematethebody.Thentheybuildaburialmoundforthewheelturning monarchatagreatfourwayintersection.Thatisthecoursethattheyfollowwith regardtothebodyofawheelturningmonarch.Thecoursetheyfollowwith regardtothebodyofawheelturningmonarch,Ananda,isthecoursethat shouldbefollowedwithregardtothebodyoftheTathagata.Aburialmoundfor theTathagataistobebuiltatagreat,fourwayintersection.Andthosewhooffer agarland,ascent,oraperfumepowderthere,orbowdownthere,orbrighten theirmindsthere:thatwillbefortheirlongtermwelfare&happiness. SotheKusinaraMallansorderedtheirmen,Inthatcase,Isay,gatherthe Mallansteasedcottonwool.

17 ThentheywrappedtheBlessedOnesbodyinnewlinencloth.Having wrappeditinnewlinencloth,theywrappeditinteasedcottonwool.Having wrappeditinteasedcottonwool,theywrappeditinnewlinencloth.Having donethisfivehundredtimes,theyplacedthebodyinanironoilvat,coveredit withanironlid,madeapyrecomposedtotallyofperfumedsubstances,andset thebodyonthepyre. NowatthattimeVen.MahaKassapawastravelingonthehighwayfrom PavatoKusinarawithalargecommunityofmonks,approximately500monksin all.Leavingtheroad,hesatdownatthefootofatree.Meanwhile,acertain nakedascetic,carryingacoraltreeflowerfromKusinara,wastravelingonthe highwaytoPava.Ven.MahaKassapasawthenakedasceticcomingfromafar, andonseeinghimsaidtohim,Doyouknowourteacher,friend? Yes,friend,Iknowhim.SevendaysagoGotamathecontemplativewas totallyunbound.ThatshowIgotthiscoraltreeflower. Withthat,someofthemonkspresentwhowerenotwithoutpassionwept, upliftingtheirarms.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfelldown androlledback&forth,crying,AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotally unbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWellgonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,the OnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromtheworld!Butthosemonkswhowere freefrompassionacquiesced,mindful&alert:Fabricationsareinconstant. Whatelseistheretoexpect? NowatthattimeamonknamedSubhadda,9whohadgoneforthwhenold, wassittingamongthegroup.Hesaidtothemonks,Enough,friends.Dont grieve.Dontlament.WerewellridoftheGreatContemplative.Wevebeen harassedby[hissaying],Thisisallowable.Thisisnotallowable.Butnowwe willdowhatwewanttodo,andnotdowhatwedontwanttodo.10 ThenVen.MahaKassapaaddressedthemonks,Enough,friends.Dont grieve.Dontlament.HasnttheBlessedOnealreadytaughtthestateof growingdifferentwithregardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateof becomingseparate,thestateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect? Itsimpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,& subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating. ThenfourleadingMallans,havingbathedtheirheadsandwearingnewlinen cloth,thinking,WellignitetheBlessedOnespyre,wereunabletoigniteit. SotheKusinaraMallansaskedVen.Anuruddha,Whatisthereason,Ven. Anuruddha,whatisthecause,whythesefourleadingMallans,havingbathed

18 theirheadsandwearingnewlinencloth,thinking,WellignitetheBlessed Onespyre,areunabletoigniteit? Yourintention,Vasitthas,isonething.Thedevasintentionisanother. Butwhat,Ven.Anuruddha,isthedevasintention? Thedevasintention,Vasitthas,is,ThisVen.MahaKassapaistraveling onthehighwayfromPavatoKusinarawithalargecommunityofmonks, approximately500monksinall.TheBlessedOnespyrewillnotcatchfireuntil Ven.MahaKassapahasworshippedtheBlessedOnesfeetwithhishead. Thenletitbe,venerablesir,inlinewiththedevasintention. SoVen.MahaKassapawenttotheBlessedOnespyreatMakutabandhana, theMallansmemorialnearKusinara.Onarrival,arranginghisrobeoverone shoulder,heplacedhishandspalmtopalmoverhisheart,circumambulatedthe pyre,uncoveredtheBlessedOnesfeet,11andworshippedthemwithhishead. Andthe500monks,arrangingtheirrobesoveroneshoulder,placedtheirhands palmtopalmovertheirhearts,circumambulatedthepyre,andworshippedthe BlessedOnesfeetwiththeirheads.AssoonasithadbeenworshippedbyVen. MahaKassapaandthe500monks,theBlessedOnespyrecaughtfireofitsown accord.IntheburningoftheBlessedOnesbody,nocinderorashoftheouter skin,innerskin,flesh,tendons,oroilofthejointscouldbediscerned.Onlythe bonerelics12remained.Justasintheburningofgheeoroil,nocinderorashcan bediscerned;inthesameway,intheburningoftheBlessedOnesbody,no cinderorashoftheouterskin,innerskin,flesh,tendons,oroilofthejointscould bediscerned.Onlythebonerelicsremained.Andofthefivehundredtwin wrappingsonlytwowereburnt:theinnermost&theoutermost. WhentheBlessedOnesbodywasconsumed,acascadeofwaterfellfrom thesky,extinguishingtheBlessedOnespyre.Watershotupfromasaltreeas well,extinguishingtheBlessedOnespyre.TheKusinaraMallans,withall kindsofscentedwater,extinguishedtheBlessedOnespyre.Thenforseven daystheykeptthebonerelicsintheirassemblyhallsettingthemroundwitha latticeofspearssurroundedbyrampartsofbowsworshipping,honoring, respecting,&veneratingthemwithdances,songs,music,garlands,&scents. ThenKingAjatasattuVedehiputtaofMagadhaheard,TheBlessedOne, theysay,hasbeentotallyunboundinKusinara.Sohesentanenvoytothe KusinaraMallans:TheBlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.I,too,amanoble warrior.IdeserveashareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.I,too,willbuilda burialmoundandholdaceremonyforthem.

19 TheLicchavisofVesaliheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,hasbeentotally unboundinKusinara.SotheysentanenvoytotheKusinaraMallans:The BlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.We,too,arenoblewarriors.Wedeservea shareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.We,too,willbuildaburialmoundand holdaceremonyforthem. TheSakyansofKapilavatthuheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,hasbeen totallyunboundinKusinara.SotheysentanenvoytotheKusinaraMallans: TheBlessedOnewasthegreatestofourrelatives.Wedeserveashareofthe BlessedOnesbonerelics.We,too,willbuildaburialmoundandholda ceremonyforthem. TheBuliansofAllakappa....TheKoliyansofRamagamaheard,TheBlessed One,theysay,hasbeentotallyunboundinKusinara.Sotheysentanenvoyto theKusinaraMallans:TheBlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.We,too,arenoble warriors.WedeserveashareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.We,too,will buildaburialmoundandholdaceremonyforthem. TheBrahmanofVetthaIslandheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,hasbeen totallyunboundinKusinara.SohesentanenvoytotheKusinaraMallans: TheBlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.Iamabrahman.Ideserveashareofthe BlessedOnesbonerelics.I,too,willbuildaburialmoundandholdaceremony forthem. ThePavaMallansheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,hasbeentotally unboundinKusinara.SotheysentanenvoytotheKusinaraMallans:The BlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.We,too,arenoblewarriors.Wedeservea shareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.We,too,willbuildaburialmoundand holdaceremonyforthem. Whenthiswassaid,theKusinaraMallanssaidtothegroups&factions,The BlessedOnewastotallyunboundwithinthebordersofourowntown.Wewill notgiveupashareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics. Whenthiswassaid,Donathebrahmanaddressedthegroups&factions, Listen,goodsirs, toawordfromme. OurAwakenedOnetaught forbearance. Itsnotgoodthatthereshouldbecombat overtherelicsofthehighestone. Letsuniteinconcord,

20 onfriendlyterms, andmakeeightshares. Lettherebe burialmounds inthevariousdirections, manypeoplemadeconfident intheOnewithEyes. Inthatcase,brahman,youyourselfdividetheBlessedOnesbonerelics intoeightequalshares. Responding,Asyousay,goodsirs,tothegroups&factions,Donathe brahmandividedtheBlessedOnesbonerelicsintoeightequalsharesandthen saidtothegroups&factions,Goodsirs,givemethisurn.Iwillbuildaburial moundandholdaceremonyfortheurn.Theygavehimtheurn. ThentheMoriyansofPipphalivanaheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,has beentotallyunboundinKusinara.SotheysentanenvoytotheKusinara Mallans:TheBlessedOnewasanoblewarrior.We,too,arenoblewarriors.We deserveashareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.We,too,willbuildaburial moundandholdaceremonyforthem. Thereisno[remaining]shareoftheBlessedOnesbonerelics.Theyhave beendivided.Taketheembersfromhere.Theytooktheembersfromthere. ThenKingAjatasattuVedehiputtaofMagadhabuiltaburialmoundandheld aceremonyfortheBlessedOnesrelicsinRajagaha. TheLicchavisofVesalibuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyforthe BlessedOnesrelicsinVesali. TheSakyansofKapilavatthubuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfor theBlessedOnesrelicsinKapilavatthu. TheBuliansofAllakappabuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyforthe BlessedOnesrelicsinAllakappa. TheKoliyansofRamagamabuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfor theBlessedOnesrelicsinRamagama. ThebrahmanofVetthaIslandbuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfor theBlessedOnesrelicsonVetthaIsland. ThePavaMallansbuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfortheBlessed OnesrelicsinPava. TheKusinaraMallansbuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyforthe BlessedOnesrelicsinKusinara.

21 Donathebrahmanbuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfortheurn. TheMoriyansofPipphalivanabuiltaburialmoundandheldaceremonyfor theembersinPipphalivana. Thustherewereeightburialmoundsforthebonerelics,aninthfortheurn, andatenthfortheembers. Thatishowitwasinthepast.

NOTES [1]Inprecedingsectionsofthediscourse,thestandardphrasedescribingthe Buddhasactoflyingdowntorestreads,ThentheBlessedOnelaydownon hisrightsideinthelionssleepingposture,withonefootontopoftheother, mindful&alert,havingmadeamentalnotetogetup.Here,however,the Buddhaislyingdownforthelasttimeandwillpassawayinthisposture,sohe makesnomentalnotetogetup. [2]FromVedictimes,ithasbeenconsideredauspiciousinIndiatogazeona holypersonorheavenlybeing,andtobegazedonbysuchabeingaswell.Here thefactthatheavenlybeingsthemselveswanttogazeontheBuddhaindicates thehighregardtheyhaveforhim(thisisalsothemotivefortheirGreatMeeting inDN20);thephraselaterinthisparagraph,theOnewithEyes,indicates thattheyalsoregardedhisgazeashighlyauspiciousforthem.Laterpassagesin thisdiscourseindicatethathumanbeingshavesimilarfeelingsaboutthe auspiciousnessoftheBuddhasgazeandtheBuddhaasanobjectofonesown gaze.AgreatdealofthelaterhistoryofBuddhisminIndiaincluding devotionalpractice,Buddhology,meditationpractice,andeventhearchitecture ofmonasteriesgrewoutofthecontinuingdesiretohaveavisionoftheBuddha andtobegazedonbytheBuddha,evenafterhisParinibbana. Itissometimesassumed,basedonapassageinSNXXII.87,thatthePali CanonisuniformlynegativetowardthisaspectofBuddhisttradition.There, Ven.Vakkali,whoisill,statesthatForalongtimehaveIwantedtocome&see theBlessedOne,butIhaventhadthebodilystrengthtodoso,andthe Buddhacomfortshim,Enough,Vakkali.Whydoyouwanttoseethisfilthy body?WhoeverseestheDhammaseesme;whoeverseesmeseestheDhamma. Itshouldbenoted,however,thattheBuddhastreatmentofthistopicis sensitivetothecontext.InSNXXII.87,heistalkingtoamonkwho(1)istoosick

22 tocomeseetheBuddhaonhisownstrength;and(2)isonthevergeof arahantship.HereinDN16,however,theBuddhadismissesVen.Upavanasoas tohonorthedesireofthedevaswhowanttoseehiminhislasthour;andhe sendsVen.AnandaintoKusinaratoinformthelaypeopletheresothattheytoo willbeabletoseehiminhislasthour.Hismotiveheremaybesimilartothat givenforencouragingthebuildingofaburialmounddedicatedtohim:seeing himwillhelphuman&heavenlybeingsbrightentheirminds,andthatwillbe fortheirlongtermwelfare&happiness.Thustheattitudesexpressedonthis topicinthePaliCanon,whentakenintheirentirety,aremorecomplexthanis generallyrecognized. [3]ReadingchinnapadawiththeThaiedition. [4]Thedesiretohaveonesnameannouncedtoaholypersonappearsto havebeenapartofpreBuddhistdevotionalpracticeinIndia.Thispassage, alongwithothersintheCanon,indicatesthatitwasquicklyadoptedinto Buddhistdevotionalpracticeaswell.ItlivedoninlaterBuddhistpracticeinthe customofhavingthedonorsnameinscribedinbasreliefsandotherofferings placednearoronastupa,eveninlocationswherethenamewouldnotbevisible tohumaneyes. [5]ThecommentarynotesthatSubhaddamakesthisstatementbasedonnon Buddhistpracticesheknewfromhisprevioussectarianaffiliation. [6]TheCullavagga(XI.9)tellsofhowthemonksattheFirstCouncilcouldnot agreeonwhichrulesshouldbeclassedaslesser&minor.Ven.Anandahimself confessedthatheneglectedtoasktheBuddhaonthispoint.Oneofthemonks madeamotionthatsincemanyoftherulesaffectthelaity,andthelaitywould lookdownonthemonksforrescindingthemaftertheBuddhasdeathnoneof therulesshouldberescinded.ThismotionwasadoptedbytheCouncil. [7]AmonknamedChannaisdepictedatseveralspotsintheVinayaas despisingallothermonksonthegroundsthatTheBuddhaismine,the Dhammaismine,itwasbymyyoungmasterthattheDhammawasrealized. (Sanghadisesa12)Thiswouldfitinwiththepostcanonicaltraditionidentifying ChannaasthehorsemanwhoaccompaniedtheyoungPrinceSiddharthaonthe nightofthelattersGreatRenunciation.TworulesintheVinayaSanghadisesa 12&Pacittiya12depicthimasdevious&impossibletoadmonish.Cv.XI reportseventsaftertheParinibbana,tellingofhownewsofthebrahmapenalty shockedChannatohissenses.Asaresult,hechangedhiswaysandeventually becameanarahant.AsVen.Anandathenexplainsinthatpassage,thebrahma penaltywasautomaticallyliftedatthemomentofVen.Channasfinal

23 attainment.SNXXII.90tellsadifferentversionofhowVen.Channachangedhis attitudeandbrokethroughtotheDhamma. [8]Ven.Ananda,assumingthattheBuddhahaspassedaway,addressesVen. Anuruddhahisseniorasvenerablesir,inlinewiththeBuddhas instructions. [9]AdifferentSubhaddafromtheBuddhaslastfacetofacedisciple. [10]InCullavaggaXI.1,Ven.MahaKassapacitesthisstatementasgood reasontoholdacouncilforstandardizingtheDhamma&Vinayabeforewhat isnotdhammashinesoutanddhammaisobscured,beforewhatisnotdiscipline shinesoutanddisciplineisobscured;beforethosewhospeakwhatisnot dhammabecomestrongandthosewhospeakwhatisdhammabecomeweak; beforethosewhospeakwhatisnotdisciplinebecomestrongandthosewho speakwhatisdisciplinebecomeweak.ThustheFirstCouncilwasheldduring theRainsRetreatfollowingtheBuddhasParinibbana. [11]ThecommentarynotesthatVen.MahaKassapaenteredthefourthjhana, whichheusedasthebasisforafeatofpsychicpowersothattheBuddhasfeet wouldappearoutoftheirextensivewrappings. [12]Uptothispointinthenarrative,theBuddhasbodyiscalledasarira (singular).Herethenounbecomespluralwiththemeaningofrelicsand remainspluralfortheremainderofthenarrative.