长部第 16 经（Sujato 英译）第 13 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · 13/14

38. Mahākassapa’s Arrival38. Mahākassapa’s Arrival

Now at that time Venerable Mahākassapa was traveling along the road from Pāvā to Kusinārā together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants.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.Then he left the road and sat at the root of a tree.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.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,Mahākassapa saw him coming off in the distance and said to him,“Reverend, might you know about our Teacher?”“Reverend, might you know about our Teacher?”“Yes, reverend. Seven days ago the ascetic Gotama was fully quenched.“Yes, reverend. Seven days ago the ascetic Gotama was fully quenched.

From there I picked up this Flame Tree flower.”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,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!”“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?”Now at that time a monk named Subhadda, who had gone forth when old, was sitting in that assembly.Now at that time a monk named Subhadda, who had gone forth when old, was sitting in that assembly.

He said to those mendicants,He said to those mendicants,“Enough, reverends, do not grieve or lament. We’re well rid of that Great Ascetic. And we are harried:“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.’‘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.”Well, now we shall do what we want and not do what we don’t want.”Then Venerable Mahākassapa addressed the mendicants,Then Venerable Mahākassapa 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, even the Realized One’s body?”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?”

Now at that time four of the leading Mallas, having bathed their heads and dressed in unworn clothes, said,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.“We shall light the Buddha’s funeral pyre.” But they were unable to do so.The Mallas said to Anuruddha,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?”“What is the cause, Venerable Anuruddha, what is the reason why these four Mallian chiefs are unable to light the Buddha’s funeral pyre?”“Vāseṭṭhas, the deities have a different plan.”“Vāseṭṭhas, the deities have a different plan.”“But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”“But sir, what is the deities’ plan?”

“The deities’ plan is this:“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.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.”The Buddha’s funeral pyre shall not burn until he bows with his head to the Buddha’s feet.”

“Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”“Sir, let it be as the deities plan.”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.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 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.And when Mahākassapa and the five hundred mendicants bowed the Buddha’s funeral pyre burst into flames all by itself.And when the Buddha’s corpse was cremated no ash or soot was found from outer or inner skin, flesh, sinews, or synovial fluid.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.Only the relics remained.

It’s like when ghee or oil blaze and burn, and neither ashes nor soot are found.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.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.Only the relics remained.

And of those five hundred pairs of garments only two were not burnt: the innermost and the outermost.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,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,by water dripping from the sal trees,

and by the Mallas’ fragrant water.and by the Mallas’ fragrant water.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.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.

39. Distributing the Relics39. Distributing the Relics

King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, heardKing Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.He sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”The Licchavis of Vesālī also heardThe Licchavis of Vesālī also heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.

They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also heardThe Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also heard

that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”

The Bulis of Allakappa also heardThe Bulis of Allakappa also heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”The Koliyans of Rāmagāma also heardThe Koliyans of Rāmagāma also heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.

They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”The brahmin of Veṭhadīpa also heardThe brahmin of Veṭhadīpa also heard

that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.He sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”

The Mallas of Pāvā also heardThe Mallas of Pāvā also heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”When they had spoken, the Mallas of Kusinārā said to those various groups: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.”“The Buddha was fully quenched in our village district. We will not give away a share of his relics.”

Then Doṇa the brahmin said to those various groups:Then Doṇa the brahmin said to those various groups:“Hear, worthy sirs, a single word from me.“Hear, worthy sirs, a single word from me.Our Buddha’s teaching was acceptance.Our Buddha’s teaching was acceptance.

It would not be good to fight overIt would not be good to fight overa share of the supreme individual’s relics.a share of the supreme individual’s relics.Let us make eight portions, worthy sirs,Let us make eight portions, worthy sirs,

rejoicing in unity and harmony.rejoicing in unity and harmony.Let there be monuments far and wide,Let there be monuments far and wide,so many folk may gain faith in the Clear-eyed One!”so many folk may gain faith in the Clear-eyed One!”

“Well then, brahmin, you yourself should fairly divide the Buddha’s relics in eight portions.”“Well then, brahmin, you yourself should fairly divide the Buddha’s relics in eight portions.”“Yes, worthy sirs,” replied Doṇa to those various groups. He divided the relics as asked and said to them,“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.”“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.So they gave Doṇa the urn.The Moriyas of Pippalivana heardThe Moriyas of Pippalivana heardthat the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.that the Buddha had become fully quenched at Kusinārā.

They sent an envoy to the Mallas of 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.”“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.”“There is no portion of the Buddha’s relics left, they have already been portioned out.“There is no portion of the Buddha’s relics left, they have already been portioned out.

Here, take the embers.”Here, take the embers.”So they took the embers.So they took the embers.

40. Venerating the Relics40. Venerating the Relics

Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha,Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha,the Licchavis of Vesālī,the Licchavis of Vesālī,the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu,the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu,

the Bulis of Allakappa,the Bulis of Allakappa,the Koliyans of Rāmagāma,the Koliyans of Rāmagāma,the brahmin of Veṭhadīpa,the brahmin of Veṭhadīpa,

the Mallas of Pāvā,the Mallas of Pāvā,the Mallas of Kusinārā,the Mallas of Kusinārā,the brahmin Doṇa,the brahmin Doṇa,

and the Moriyas of Pippalivana built monuments for them and conducted memorial services.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.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.That is how it was in the old days.

There were eight shares of the Clear-eyed One’s relics.There were eight shares of the Clear-eyed One’s relics.Seven were worshiped in the Black Plum Tree Land.Seven were worshiped in the Black Plum Tree Land.But one share of the most excellent of menBut one share of the most excellent of men

was worshiped in Rāmagāma by a dragon king.was worshiped in Rāmagāma by a dragon king.One tooth is venerated by the gods of the Third Heaven,One tooth is venerated by the gods of the Third Heaven,and one is worshiped in the city of Gandhāra;and one is worshiped in the city of Gandhāra;

another one in the realm of the Kaliṅga King,another one in the realm of the Kaliṅga King,and one is worshiped by a dragon king.and one is worshiped by a dragon king.Through their glory this rich earthThrough their glory this rich earth

is adorned with the best of offerings.is adorned with the best of offerings.Thus the Clear-eyed One’s corpseThus the Clear-eyed One’s corpse