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288
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
V, 25.
weeping and adoring at the feet of Buddha, grieving (to behold) his failing strength. 1961
Tathagata, composed and quiet, spake : 'Grieve not! the time is one for joy; no call for sorrow or for anguish here; 1962
“That which for ages I have aimed at, now am I just about to obtain ; delivered now from the narrow bounds of sense, I go to the place of never-ending rest and peace (purity). 1963
I leave these things, earth, water, fire, and air, to rest secure where neither birth nor death can come. Eternally delivered there from grief, oh I tell me! why should I be sorrowful ? 1964
Of yore on Sirsha's! mount, I longed to rid me of this body, but to fulfil my destiny I have remained till now with men (in the world); 1965
'I have kept (till now) this sickly, crumbling body, as dwelling with a poisonous snake ; but now I am come to the great resting-place, all springs of sorrow now for ever stopped. 1966
No more shall I receive a body, all future sorrow now for ever done away; it is not meet for you, on my account, for evermore, to encourage any anxious fear.' 1967
The Mallas hearing Buddha's words, that he was now about to die (enter the great, peaceful, quiet state), their minds confused, their eyes bedimmed, as if they saw before them nought but blackness, 1968
With hands conjoined, spake thus to Buddha : Buddha is leaving now the pain of birth and death, and entering on the eternal joy of rest (peaceful extinction); doubtless we ought to rejoice thereat. 1969
1 Near Gaya.
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