SAGA DAWA DUCHEN DAY: Remembering the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. Buddha’s final meal, student, teaching and passing into paranirvana, and the 19th Century discovery of his stunning bone and jewel relics

“All composite things are impermanent. They do not last. Strive diligently for your liberation.” (Anda dāni, bhikkhave, āmantayāmi vo, vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādethā.)”
–Shakyamuni Buddha’s Last Words

“31. Just as when ghee or oil is burned, it leaves no particles or ashes behind, even so when the body of the Blessed One had been burned, no ashes or particles were to be seen of what had been skin, tissue, flesh, sinews, and fluid; only bones remained. And of the five hundred linen wrappings, only two were not consumed, the innermost and the outermost.”
–Excerpt from Mahāparinibbāna-suttanta

Introduction

Today for the full moon day in the Saga Dawa month, which commemorates Buddha Sakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana, which all took place in the same month, I am re-posting an article/transcript of a teaching given by the 17th Karmapa(Day 12 (Part 2) on the ‘Origins of Secret Mantra’, video here), on the Buddha’s last meal, student, teaching before he passed into Parinirvana, and his subsequent cremation. As well as remarkable photos of relics left that the Buddha later discovered in India at an Ashokan site.

The Karmapa’s teaching first discusses some of the challenges that Shakyamuni Buddha faced in his life, in particular the negative actions committed by Devadatta, his cousin, towards him and how his attempts to take over the sangha, and even murder the Buddha were unsuccessful.

The 17th Karmapa then explained the circumstances in which the Buddha passed away, having become very sick after eating some food given to him by a blacksmith called Chunda, and the differing versions of what happened. Records state that Buddha himself chose to eat the food, while telling those with him not to do so.

This was followed by a description of Buddha’s last convert, an old Brahmin Subhadra who insisted on speaking to Buddha and asking him a question. Despite the fact Buddha was very sick and close to passing away, the Buddha accepted his request and told people this would be his last audience. The man was so impressed by the Buddha’s response that he became his student. Even though he was very sick, Buddha also advised his students on various matters like who would lead the community and how to manage his remains, telling them not to worry or get overly involved in it.

Then there was a description of the Buddha’s passing away and how, even as he was close to death, Buddha asked his students three times if they had any questions or doubts. When they did not respond, he gave one short pith instruction (see quote above) and consciously passed into the state of nirvana beyond suffering. The Karmapa himself paused briefly here, overwhelmed with emotion, and shed some tears for a minute. A moving moment for all.

The following year, in 2022, the 17th Karmapa also taught (see here) about what happened with the Buddha’s body after he passed away, and how the  Malla community could not set fire to it no matter how much they tried, the reason being, as Ananda explained to them:

“Mahakāśyapa and five hundred bhikshus are currently traveling from Pāvā to Kuśinagara. When the Buddha passed into parinirvana, Mahākāśyapa was not near, he was traveling between the two and hoped he could see the Buddha’s remains before they were cremated. Because of that wish, the gods know what Kāśyapa is thinking and keep putting out your fire.”

Finally, when Mahakāśyapa arrived, the Buddha’s body itself self-ignited into flames demonstrating yet another supra-mundane siddhi.

The final part of the 2021 teaching was about how after the cremation, Buddha’s remains and relics (Śarira) were divided into eight tribes/peoples to avoid conflict. Then a description of an extraordinary 19th Century archeological find in Piprāhwā is a small village in the Terai region (lowland region) that lies south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas, the Siwālik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. In 1898, a British landowner, William Claxton Peppé (1852-1937) excavated a large mound on his estate in Piprāhwā, which turned out to be a Buddhist brick stūpa. These have since been authenticated as completely genuine and from 500 BCE.

I have added in several images of these jewel and bone relics, and remains from the official website about them (http://www.piprahwa.com/home). They are truly stunningly beautiful, moving and worthy of great veneration. A fascinating and amazing recent documentary, ‘Bones of the Buddha’ by historian Charles Allen on Youtube about the discovered objects and their authenticity can be watched here: https://youtu.be/yn3lk6xTF24. Allen refers to these jewels as ‘offerings’ but it is highly likely they were naturally-produced relics from Buddha’s bones/remains after cremation.

According to Buddhist belief, there will come a time in the far distant future when the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha will disappear from the world and the relics will no longer be honoured. It is then that the relics that have been enshrined in stupas around the world will break out of their reliquaries and magically return to Bodh Gaya, where they will assemble into the resplendent body of the Buddha, seated in the lotus posture under the Bodhi tree, emitting rays of light that illuminate 10,000 worlds. They will be worshiped by the gods one last time and then will burst into flame and disappear into the sky. This third nirvana is called the “final nirvana of the relics.” Until that time, the relics of the Buddha are to be regarded as his living presence, infused with all of his marvelous qualities. The relics of the Buddha were, essentially, the Buddha.

To conclude, the Karmapa reminded us why it was important as Buddhists to know the Buddha’s life story, not just as history but as a source of inspiration. It is embarrassing to say we are Buddhists if we do not know or understand Buddha’s amazing life and deeds.

I have been fortunate in this life to be able to see Buddha’s relics on a couple of occasions, including and exhibition of Buddha’s relics in Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. For my recent trip to see the Buddha’s relics in New Delhi, see here. Full article, images and transcript here.

May we all have the great fortune to see the Buddha’s precious relics and attain the fully awakened state! 

Music?  Shakyamuni Buddha mantra, Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Mahamuniye Svaha, Diamonds and Pearls by Prince, and Bones by Imagine Dragons.

Originally written, compiled and edited by Adele Tomlin, 20th September 2021.