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V, 27.
PRAISING NIRVANA.
323
along the road presenting offerings, whilst all the Devas scattered scents and flowers, and raised the sound of drums and music in the heavens. 2198
Thus men and Devas shared one common sorrow, their cries united as they grieved together. Entering the city, there the men and women, old and young, completed their religious offerings. 2199
Leaving the city, then, and passing through the Lung-tsiang gate', and crossing over the Hiranyavati river, they repaired to where the former Buddhas having died, had Kaityas raised to them ? 2200
There collecting ox-head sandal wood and every famous scented wood, they placed the whole above the Buddha's body, pouring various scented oils upon the pyre; 2201
Then placing fire beneath to kindle it, three times they walked around; but yet it burned not. At this time the great Kasyapa had taken his abode at Ràgagriha”, 2202
And knowing Buddha was about to die was coming thence with all his followers; his pure mind, deeply moved, desired to see the body of the lord; 2203
And so, because of that his sincere wish, the fire went out and would not kindle. Then Kasyapa and his followers coming, with piteous sighs looked on the sight 2204
1 The Nâga or Naga-Elephant gate.
9 Had their Nirvana-kaityas erected. The account in the text does not agree with the Southern account; but the popular Chinese record of the Nirvana is the same as the Pali.
He was between Pava and Kusinagara, according to the common account.
Y 2
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