长部第 16 经（Sujato 英译）第 12 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · 12/14

After my passing, give the divine punishment to the mendicant Channa.”After my passing, give the divine punishment to the mendicant Channa.”“But sir, what is the divine punishment?”“But sir, what is the divine punishment?”“Channa may say what he likes,“Channa may say what he likes,

but the mendicants should not correct, advise, or instruct him.”but the mendicants should not correct, advise, or instruct him.”Then the Buddha said to the mendicants,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:“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.’”‘We were in the Teacher’s presence and we weren’t able to ask the Buddha a question.’”When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.For a second time …For a second time …

For a third time the Buddha addressed the mendicants: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:“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.’”‘We were in the Teacher’s presence and we weren’t able to ask the Buddha a question.’”

For a third time, the mendicants kept silent.For a third time, the mendicants kept silent.Then the Buddha said to the mendicants,Then the Buddha said to the mendicants,“Mendicants, perhaps you don’t ask out of respect for the Teacher. So let a friend tell a friend.”“Mendicants, perhaps you don’t ask out of respect for the Teacher. So let a friend tell a friend.”

When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.Then Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha,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.”“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.”

“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.“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.”Even the last of these five hundred mendicants is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”

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

These were the Realized One’s last words.These were the Realized One’s last words.

36. Fully Quenched36. Fully Quenched

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.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.

Then Venerable Ānanda said to Venerable Anuruddha,Then Venerable Ānanda said to Venerable Anuruddha,“Honorable Anuruddha, has the Buddha become fully quenched?”“Honorable Anuruddha, has the Buddha become fully quenched?”“No, Reverend Ānanda. He has entered the cessation of perception and feeling.”“No, Reverend Ānanda. He has entered the cessation of perception and feeling.”

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.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.

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, 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:When the Buddha was fully quenched, the divinity Sahampati spoke this verse:“All creatures in this world“All creatures in this world

must lay down this bag of bones.must lay down this bag of bones.For even a Teacher such as this,For even a Teacher such as this,unrivaled in the world,unrivaled in the world,

the Realized One, attained to power,the Realized One, attained to power,the Buddha was fully quenched.”the Buddha was fully quenched.”When the Buddha was fully quenched, Sakka, lord of gods, spoke this verse:When the Buddha was fully quenched, Sakka, lord of gods, spoke this verse:

“Oh! Conditions are impermanent,“Oh! Conditions are impermanent,their nature is to rise and fall;their nature is to rise and fall;having arisen, they cease;having arisen, they cease;

their settling is blissful.”their settling is blissful.”When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Anuruddha spoke this verse:When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Anuruddha spoke this verse:“There was no more breathing“There was no more breathing

for the unaffected one of steady heart.for the unaffected one of steady heart.Imperturbable, committed to peace,Imperturbable, committed to peace,the sage has done his time.the sage has done his time.

He put up with painful feelingsHe put up with painful feelingswithout flinching.without flinching.The liberation of his heartThe liberation of his heart

was like the extinguishing of a lamp.”was like the extinguishing of a lamp.”When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Ānanda spoke this verse:When the Buddha was fully quenched, Venerable Ānanda spoke this verse:“Then there was terror!“Then there was terror!

Then they had goosebumps!Then they had goosebumps!When the Buddha, endowed with all fine qualities,When the Buddha, endowed with all fine qualities,became fully quenched.”became fully quenched.”

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!”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,But the mendicants who were free of desire endured, mindful and aware, thinking,

“Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?”“Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?”Then Anuruddha addressed the mendicants:Then Anuruddha addressed the mendicants:“Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament.“Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament.

Did the Buddha not prepare us for this when he explained thatDid the Buddha not prepare us for this when he explained thatwe must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved?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?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.”The deities are complaining.”“But sir, what kind of deities are you thinking of?”“But sir, what kind of deities are you thinking of?”“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:“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!’‘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:But the deities who are free of desire endure, mindful and aware, thinking:‘Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?’”‘Conditions are impermanent. How could it possibly be otherwise?’”

Ānanda and Anuruddha spent the rest of the night talking about Dhamma.Ānanda and Anuruddha spent the rest of the night talking about Dhamma.Then Anuruddha said to Ānanda,Then Anuruddha said to Ānanda,“Go, Ānanda, into Kusinārā and inform the Mallas:“Go, Ānanda, into Kusinārā and inform the Mallas:

‘Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched.‘Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched.Please come at your convenience.’”Please come at your convenience.’”“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kusinārā with a companion.“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kusinārā with a companion.

Now at that time the Mallas of Kusinārā were sitting together at the town hall still on the same business.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,Ānanda went up to them, and announced,“Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched.“Vāseṭṭhas, the Buddha has become fully quenched.

Please come at your convenience.”Please come at your convenience.”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,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!”“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!”

37. The Rites of Venerating the Buddha’s Corpse37. The Rites of Venerating the Buddha’s Corpse

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

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

Then on the seventh day they thought,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.”“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.”Now at that time eight of the leading Mallas, having bathed their heads and dressed in unworn clothes, said,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.“We shall lift the Buddha’s corpse.” But they were unable to do so.The Mallas said to Anuruddha,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?”“What is the cause, Honorable Anuruddha, what is the reason why these eight Mallian chiefs are unable to lift the Buddha’s corpse?”

“Vāseṭṭhas, you have one plan, but the deities have a different one.”“Vāseṭṭhas, you have one plan, but the deities have a different one.”“But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”“But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”“You plan to“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.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 toThe deities plan tocarry 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.”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.”

“Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”“Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”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.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.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.

Then the Mallas said to Ānanda,Then the Mallas said to Ānanda,“Honorable Ānanda, how do we proceed when it comes to the Realized One’s corpse?”“Honorable Ānanda, how do we proceed when it comes to the Realized One’s corpse?”“Proceed in the same way as they do for the corpse of a wheel-turning monarch.”“Proceed in the same way as they do for the corpse of a wheel-turning monarch.”

“But how do they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse?”“But how do they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse?”“They wrap a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse with unworn cloth, then with uncarded cotton, then again with unworn cloth.“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.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.They build a monument for the wheel-turning monarch at the crossroads.That’s how they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse.That’s how they proceed with a wheel-turning monarch’s corpse.Proceed in the same way with the Realized One’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.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.”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.”Then the Mallas ordered their men,Then the Mallas ordered their men,

“So then, lads, collect uncarded cotton.”“So then, lads, collect uncarded cotton.”So the Mallas wrapped the Buddha’s corpse,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.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.