[6] What the ‘great prohibitions’ which the devotee now gave up were we cannot tell. Being what he was, a monk of more than ordinary ascetical habits, he may have undertaken peculiar and difficult vows.
[7] The Śrâmaṇera, or in Chinese Shâmei. [See chap. xvi, note 20].
CHAPTER XXIV.
WHERE BUDDHA FINALLY RENOUNCED THE WORLD, AND WHERE HE DIED.
East from here four yojanas, there is the place where the heir-apparent sent back Chaṇḍaka, with his white horse;[1] and there also a tope was erected.
Four yojanas to the east from this, (the travellers) came to the Charcoal tope,[2] where there is also a monastery.
Going on twelve yojanas, still to the east, they came to the city of Kuśanagara,[3] on the north of which, between two trees,[4] on the bank of the Nairañjanâ[5] river, is the place where the World-honoured one, with his head to the north, attained to pari-nirvâṇa (and died). There also are the places where Subhadra,[6] the last (of his converts), attained to Wisdom (and became an Arhat); where in his coffin of gold they made offerings to the World-honoured one for seven days,[7] where the Vajrapâṇi laid aside his golden club,[8] and where the eight kings divided the relics (of the burnt body)[9]:—at all these places were built topes and monasteries, all of which are now existing.
VII. BUDDHA’S DYING INSTRUCTIONS.
