Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 573

CHAPTER XV
LIBERATION
Bhagavān Mahavira entered into his liberation at Pāva and Gautama Buddha entered into his liberation at Kusinara. As to the distance between the two places, we read, in part, as follows:
pāvā-nagarato tini gavutāni kusinārā-nagaram which means that Pāvā was at a distance of three gavyutas (about six miles) from Kusinara (1).
We have it on the authority of Rāhul Sămkstyāyana, the Buddha, starting at midday from Pavā, reached Kusinārā in the evening. As he was ill and weak, so he stopped at several places to rest before he reached his destination. The distance between Kapilavastu (Lumbini) and Ksatriya-Kundapura is accepted to be about 250 miles (2).
Thus, though born at a distance of 250 miles, the distance at the time of their death was no more than 6 miles. So it may be stated that the two who were not far apart from each other in their spiritual attainments came closer even in space at the time of their death.
The final (funeral) rites for both were performed by the Malla Ksatriyas. At the time of Mahavira's death, nine Mallās and nine Licchavis were by his side. Eighteen kings who were the heads of their respective ganas at Kasi and Kosala were at that time performing their pausadha. In the morning, they also joined the funeral procession. At the passing away of the Buddha, Ananda came to Kusinārā and broke the sad news to the Mallās who were assembled in the public hall. Ananda did not consider Kusinārā to be a suitable place for the death of the Buddha from which it should appear that the Mallas were perhaps more intimate with Mahavira than they were with the Buddha,
In the funeral ceremony of both, the Indras and their gods participated in a very large number, Mahāvira's