Life of the Buddha 8-쌍림열반상雙林涅槃相

The Buddha’s Parinirvana or Complete Transcendence
(The Great Passing : The Buddha's Last Days in Kushinagara )

After his enlightenment, the Buddha spent the rest of his lifetime teaching sentient beings the path to freedom from suffering. When he was 80, the Buddha confided in his close disciple, the monk Ananda. “I am now advanced in years,” the Buddha said. “My body keeps together like an old cart stays fastened together with thongs,” A short time later, the Buddha spoke before an assembly of monks. He told them he would soon enter into complete nirvana. In his final days, the Buddha received a meal from Cunda, the smith, while staying in a mango grove. After this meal, the Buddha became severely ill with food poisoning. Nearby the city of Kusinagara, he asked Ananda to arrange a bed with the head pointed towards the north. When this was done, the Buddha lay down on his right side with his right hand under his head. Trees nearby bloomed out of season and fragrant flowers fell from the sky covering the Buddha’s body.


Just before the Buddha passed away, he asked his disciples if they had any doubts or questions. He advised his followers to be self-reliant and take refuge only in themselves and the Dharma. Throughout his life, the Buddha had encouraged sentient beings with the well known phrase “Be a light unto yourself.” Now, with his last few breaths, the Buddha once again emphasized, “All things are impermanent. Work out your own salvation with diligence.” It is said the Buddha died like a flame which goes out through lack of fuel. There was great lament at his passing and flowers continued to fall from the sky. For over a week, the princes of Kusinagara paid homage to the Buddha’ s body with music and dancing. They made elaborate preparations for the Buddha’s cremation but the funeral pyre would not ignite until the Buddha’s beloved disciple Kasyapa arrived to pay his last respects. On the seventh day after the Buddha’s death, Kasyapa arrived and showed his reverence for the deceased by touching his forehead to the Buddha’s feet.


At Kasyapa’s touch, the Buddha’s funeral pyre spontaneously burst into flames. When the fire subsided, the Buddha’s remains were collected and divided into eight portions. These relics, known as sarira, were safeguarded in commemorative monuments called stupas(link). Like the numerous stories, painting, and engravings which represent the Buddha’s life, stupas also remind us of the Buddha’s accomplishments and teachings. Both in his life and through his death, the Buddha taught that anyone who believes in and practices the Dharma can attain enlightenment.