![]() ![]() After cremation of the Buddha’s body, the ashes were examined for relics a skull bone, teeth and shrouds were found (Singh, 259). “The are the Eight Great Stupas…In the city of Kusinagari, the place of the very powerful Malla tribe, between the two sal trees, he entered nirvana.” ( Astamahasthanacaityastotra, Strong, 4)Īfter the Buddha spoke these last words, he closed his eyes the earth shook and everyone felt their minds and bodies tremble and knew the Buddha passed into nirvana (Singh, 258). Be diligent in your efforts to attain liberation! I declare to you that all conditioned things are of a nature to decay – strive on untiringly.” (Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Singh, 258) “The Buddha-looked quietly over the community and then said, “Bhikkus, listen to what the Tathagata now says. The Buddha lay down in between two tall shala trees on his right side with his head to the north and spoke to Ananda about the doctrines of faith, rules of discipline to be followed by the monks and instructions about the disposal of his body (Singh, 258). The Buddha and Ananda continued on their journey until the eventually reached the Hiranyavati river, south of Kushinagar (Singh, 258). The Buddha told Ananda he was sick and in pain from old age and that he would lay down his body after three months (Singh, 256). When the Buddha was 81 years old, he gave his last major teaching at Vulture’s Peak and then travelled with Ananda (Singh, 256). The importance and profoundness of this place can be seen in the story of the Buddha reaching nirvana. The Buddha also previously died in Kushinagar in seven previous births (Singh, 256). The main reasons include: (1) it was the proper venue for the preaching of the Maha-sudassana suttanta, (2) to admit Subhadda, who was living there, to the Sangha before his death and (3) the availability of the Brahmin Drona who would solve the problem of his relics (Singh, 256). Kushinagar is the site of the Buddha’s parinirvana and was chosen for specific reasons. Many buildings – a college, high school, residential buildings and public rest houses – have been built in the vicinity of the monuments (Singh, 254-6). Kushinagar’s main road is the location of all places of worship, tourist attractions and accommodations (Singh, 254). The town is located 175 km away from Lumbini and has a population of about 26 000 (Singh, 254). Kusinara or Kushinagar is a town in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It was broken in two pieces and was restored to its original form and installed in this temple in 1927.Figure 1: “Kushinagar and its environment.” From R. The statue was found by Carlleyle in the course of excavations in 1876. It is also believed that the Buddha delivered his last sermon at this place. The statue also bears an inscription that is largely illegible, but surely indicates the date of its construction to the 10th or 11th century. It is believed that he invoked the Earth to testify to the pious acts performed by him in his previous incarnations. ![]() ![]() The whole vision was a symbolic representation of the last spiritually charged moments in the life of the Buddha just before he attained Enlightenment and Nirvana. The idea was to present the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree in Bhumi Sparsh Mudra or an earth touching posture. It is installed on a large brick platform. It is 3.05 m tall and built out of a single block of blue stone brought from the Gaya region in Bihar. Located approximately 400 yards from the Parinirvan Stupa and Mahaparinirvana Temple, Matha Kuar Shrine, as it is locally called, houses a colossal idol of Buddha. ![]()
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