81.Therefore, the white clouds
Just as dawn broke, Venerable Ananda said to Venerable Ananda: Junior brother, go to Kushina to inform the local officials of the extermination so that they can start to arrange everything.
Venerable Ananda put on his coat and entered the city.Officials of the Moluo clan were just in a meeting to discuss important matters.When they learned of the news of the Buddha's death, they all seemed very regretful.They immediately put down all their priorities to make arrangements for the Buddha's funeral.When the sun was rising, everyone in the corpse knew about the Buddha's death in the Sarah Woods.Many people cried with their chests.They blamed themselves for not giving the Buddha a final salute before he entered the extinction.People came to the forest with flowers, minced fragrance, musical instruments and cloth tents.They lay down on the ground and placed flowers and scented fragrance around the Buddha's body.They played some special songs and dances there, and arranged colorful cloth tents everywhere in the forest.They brought food to five hundred monks.The entire Sala woods soon filled with festive atmosphere.From time to time, Venerable Analy would ring a big bell to calm everyone down.Then he will lead them to recite scriptures.
For six days and six nights, the people of Kusina and nearby Bopo City came to offer flowers, burn incense, dance and play music.All kinds of flowers soon covered the ground between the two Sara trees.On the seventh day, the officials of Moluo were bathed in the incense water before putting on their grand dresses and carrying the Buddha's body to the city.They walked through the city center and then came out from the east gate toward the main temple of Moro and Mokutipandana Temple.
The local magistrate arranged an imperial burial body for the Buddha.The Buddha's body was wrapped in a cloth and then placed in an iron coffin.This iron coffin was placed in a larger iron coffin.Then, all of this was put on a pile of incense wood.
It's time to burn the firewood.Just as the official was rushing forward with the torch, a man on a horse arrived and shouted and told them to wait for a moment.He told everyone that Venerable Mahakasyapa and 500 bhikkhus were coming from the city of Prabha to attend the funeral.
It turns out that Venerable Mahakasyapa was still watching the waves and spreading the Dharma.In Visali, he learned that the Buddha was about to die, and he also knew that the Buddha was heading north.So he immediately set out to follow the Buddha.Wherever he went, a monk joined him in his demise.When he arrived at Pona Village, the number of people traveling with him was as high as five hundred.When they arrived in Bopo City, they happened to meet a passenger from the opposite direction, with a Sala flower inserted on their collars.He told them that the Buddha had died in the Sala woods near Kushina six days ago.Mahakasyapa's follower ended with this news.He led five hundred monks to Kushi.On the way, they met the man riding a horse again, and he promised to go first to report to Venerable Analou, so that everyone knew that they were coming to attend the funeral.
At noon, Mahakasyapa and five hundred monks finally arrived at the Mokutvadana Temple.The Venerable put the monk's robe on his right shoulder, closed his palms, and walked around the altar solemnly three times.Then, he faced the Buddha's coffin and leaned down on the ground with five hundred monks.When they bowed for the third time, the pile of firewood was ignited.Everyone present, regardless of monks and laymen, knelt down with their hands together.Venerable Analud rings the bell and leads the masses to recite scriptures with impermanence, emptiness, self-nature, no attachment and liberation.The chanting of scriptures and the ringing of bells are intertwined, and the sound is majestic and solemn.
After the flames went out, they poured perfume on the ashes.After the coffin was opened, the officials placed the Buddha's remains in a golden urn and placed it on the main altar in the temple.The elder disciples took turns guarding these Buddha bone relics.The news of the Buddha's death was announced to other towns a few days ago.Therefore, neighboring countries sent delegations to pay condolences.Delegations from each country were given a Buddha bone relic and asked them to return to the country to build a pagoda for worship.These countries include Magadha, Vishya, Shakyamuni, Kuliya, Unaya, Boba City and Veda.Buddha bone relics are divided into eight parts.The people of Magadha will build a tower in Raja;Those who leave the car will build a tower in Vishalil;The people of Shakyamuni would build towers in the Acropolis of Kapila;Yuri's people will build towers in Alagapo;The people of Kuliya will build towers in Moro village;Veda's people would build pagodas on Veda Island;The Moluo people will build towers and worship them in both Kusina and Bopo City.
After all delegations returned to their respective countries, the monks also returned to their local area to practice or spread the Dharma.The three venerables, Mahakasyapa, Anad and Ananda, brought the Buddha's begging bowl back to the bamboo forest.
A month later, Mahakasyapa held a meeting of monks in Rajah City, with the purpose of gathering the Buddha's sutras and precepts during his lifetime.Based on the order of practice and experience in the monastic community, he invited five hundred monks to attend.This conference will begin at the same time as Anju, but it will last for six months.
Venerable Mahakasyapa is recognized as the fourth great disciple in the monastic community, second only to Khachen Ru, Shariputra and Maudgaja.He is known for his simple life and humble attitude, and is a disciple that the Buddha trusts and loves very much.There is something about him that is well known in the monastic community.Twenty years ago, Mahaka sewed the monk's robe with hundreds of rags.Once, he folded the monk's robe into a cushion and let the Buddha sit on it.When the Buddha praised the soft and comfortable cushion, Venerable Mahakasyapa gave the Buddha this monk's robe.After the Buddha smiled and took it, he gave his monk's robe back to Venerable Mahakasyapa.Everyone also knows that when the Buddha once picked up a lotus in the Gion Monastery and smiled and said nothing, it was Venerable Mahakasyapa who gave the Buddha a knowing smile.The Buddha's Dharma Treasure was passed down to Venerable Mahakasyapa.
King Ajatatru was the patron of this assembly meeting.Since Venerable Upali has always been regarded as having a clear understanding of the precepts, he was invited to recite the precepts for the conference and provide everyone with the environment and reasons for the initial preparation of each precept.Venerable Ananda was invited to recount the Buddha's teachings and principles throughout his life, including the time, place and cause and condition of each lecture.
Of course, they did not expect that the two veners, Upali and Ananda, would be free of all mistakes.Therefore, the five hundred monks present can help confirm each other.During the process of collection, all the precepts are collected in the Vinaya (Vinaya pitaka)Under the name of the word, it means a blue law.The meaning of the Sutra of Lan Dharma is collected in the Sutra Collection (Surta pitaka)Under the name ofThese classics are divided into four categories, and are divided by the theme and length of the content.Venerable Ananda let everyone know that the Buddha once told him that some light precepts could be abolished in the future.But when the monks asked him if the Buddha had any light precepts, Venerable Ananda admitted that he had not asked the Buddha clearly at that time.After detailed discussion, the conference decided to keep all the precepts of monks and nuns.
They also remember that the Buddha once expressed his disagreement to writing the scriptures in classical Vedic texts.Therefore, all the classics and precepts are written in the original Adamoga language.The conference unanimously agreed that classics should be translated into other dialects in the future to facilitate people in different places to study and circulation.They also decided to increase the number of monks responsible for reciting scriptures to ensure that the scriptures can be passed down from generation to generation.
After the assembly meeting ended, all the monks returned to their respective places to practice or spread the Dharma.
Venerable Fusidi stood by the river of Nilianchan River, looking closely at the flowing water.The cow boy on the other side was about to cross the river from shallow water.Every cow boy carries a sickle and a blue boy, just like the one I had forty-five years ago.He knew that when these buffaloes were herding grass, the little boy would cut off the corpse grass and fill their blues.
The Buddha once bathed in this river.That Bodhi tree is stronger and greener than before.Venerable Fusidi spent the night under this lovely tree.This forest is no longer as quiet as before.This Bodhi tree has become the focus of people's pilgrimage, and most of the thorns in the forest have been cleared.
Venerable Fusidi is very grateful for being one of the five hundred monks invited to attend the assembly meeting.He is fifty-six years old here.The closest friend of Rahula in the path of practice, died five years ago.Rahula himself is a combination of sincerity and diligence.Although he was the king's descendant, his life was extremely simple.He is humble and therefore did not talk to others about his merits in the cause of teaching.
On the last journey from Rajya City to Kushina, Venerable Fushidi also walked with him.When the Buddha approached his death, he was also there.On the road from Boba City to Kusina, Fushidi still remembers that the Venerable asked the Buddha where he wanted to go.The Buddha simply answered: I want to go north.Fuxidi felt that he understood what he meant.In his life, the Buddha never thought of his purpose.He just focused on every step and enjoyed the moment.Just as a prince who knew that his time had arrived and returned to his hometown, the Buddha also walked north on his last days.He did not need to wait until he arrived at the Vini Garden of the Acropolis of Kapila before he could die.Just heading north is enough.To him, Kushina itself is the Lumbini Garden.
Also driven by a feeling for his hometown, Venerable Fushidi also returned to the banks of the Nilianchan River the night before.This was his home.He still felt that he was the eleven-year-old boy watching the cow, who could support his younger siblings when he was watching the buffalo for others.Youlou Pinluo Village is still the same as before.Papaya trees are planted in front of each house.The rice fields are still in the old place, and the river still flows gently.The buffalo was still taken to the river by the young cow boy and was washed.Although Shansheng is no longer in the village and his younger brothers and sisters have established their own families elsewhere, Youlou Pinluo will always be a family that is tied to Sidi.Fusidi recalled the first time he saw the young monk Siddhartha walking in the woods.He recalled the many meals and gathered between the village boys and Siddhartha under the Bodhi tree.These past images have reappeared.When this group of cow boys watch them come from the other side, he will introduce themselves to them.Each of them is tied up.Just as he was given a long time ago an opportunity to embark on the path of peace, joy and liberation, he will now also give these children the guidance of this path.
Venerable Fuxidi smiled.A month ago in Kushina, he heard the Venerable Mahakasyapa telling the story of a young monk named Shanbata who he met while he was traveling from the city of Prabha.When Shanbatuo knew that the Buddha had entered the extinction, he casually said: "I'm gone."We can be free from now on, and no one will scold us anymore.Although Master Mahakasyapa was surprised by his crazy words, he did not say anything.
Venerable Mahakasyapa did not directly criticize the young Shanbata, but he was not at all polite to a respected great disciple like Venerable Ananda.Originally, the members of the assembly meeting had already determined that Venerable Ananda was a great disciple who was necessary to attend because he could accurately collect the scriptures.But three days before the conference began, Mahakasyapa told Venerable Ananda that he was carefully considering disqualifying Venerable Ananda to attend the conference.His reason was that Venerable Ananda had not yet gained the Dharma, nor had he achieved true enlightenment.The other monks were worried that Venerable Ananda would leave as a shame, but Venerable Ananda just retreated and then locked himself in the house.He meditated there for three days and three nights.On the morning of the beginning of the conference, Venerable Ananda realized enlightenment.When he returned to bed to rest after meditation, he asked in his heart and asked the moment he touched the sleeping mat and suddenly realized his enlightenment.
That morning, when Mahakasyapa met Ananda, he looked into Ananda's eyes and immediately knew what was going on.Then he told Ananda to meet at the conference.
Fu Ji looked up and saw white clouds floating past the blue sky.The sun is high, and the green grass by the river is shining in the morning light.When the Buddha went to the Kingdom of Porones, Schaeve, Rajah, and countless other places, he didn't know how many times he walked on this road.The Buddha's footsteps are everywhere, and now he is focused on every step he takes, and he is very clear that he is taking the Buddha's footsteps again.The Buddha's way is at his feet.The white clouds that Buddha had seen were still in the sky.Every step of peace will bring about the Buddha's old ways and white clouds to be reborn.The path that the Buddha walked was just under his feet.The Buddha has passed.But Venerable Fusidi can still see his existence everywhere.The entire Ganges basin is planted with Bodhi tree seeds.They have grown roots and grown into thriving trees.Forty-five years ago, no one had heard of the way to awaken.Now, monks and nuns wearing monk robes can be seen everywhere.There are also Dharma houses everywhere.The scholars and ministers, even the kings and their families all converted to the Three Jewels.The poorest and oppressed classes in society also find refuge from the way of enlightenment.They all seek liberation from life and spirit from the great way.Forty-five years ago, Fuxidi was a poor and untouchable boy.Today, he is a bhikkhu who crosses all classes and prejudice barriers.Venerable Fushidi was once treated to the emperor's respect.
Who is this Buddha who can have such a profound impact?Looking at the cow boy cutting the corpse by the river, Fuxidi asked him this.Although many of the great disciples are no longer there, many monks who have achieved enlightenment are still alive.Most of them are young.Buddha is like the seed of a huge Bodhi tree.The seeds have been broken, let the firm roots hold the soil firmly.Maybe when people see big trees, they can't see the seeds again, but the seeds are still there.It did not perish.It has become a big tree.The Buddha once taught that nothing will enter into non-existent from existence.The Buddha changed his form, but he still existed.Everyone who goes to see clearly will see the Buddha in the Sangha.They will all see the existence of the Buddha among the diligent, loving and wise young monks.Venerable Fuxidi understands that he has the responsibility to nourish the Buddha's Dharma body.The Dharmakaya is the doctrine and the Sangha.As long as the Dharma and Sangha continue to be consolidated, the Buddha will continue to exist.
Looking at the Niu Tong crossing the river from the other side and coming here, Venerable Fusidi smiled.If he did not inherit the Buddha's mission and brought equality, joy and peace to the children, who would do this?The Buddha has initiated this kind of work.His disciples should continue to do this.The Bodhi seeds spread by the Buddha will continue to sprout in every corner of the world.Venerable Fuxidi realized that the Buddha had sowed thousands of precious seeds in his heart.He will take good care of these seeds and let them grow into stable and strong Bodhi trees.Everyone says that the Buddha is dead, but Bosidi can feel the existence of the Buddha more than before.The Buddha exists in the body and mind that are bound to be completely bound.Looking everywhere, I saw the Buddha, the Bodhi tree, the Nilianchan River, the green grass, the white clouds and every leaf.These people think that the cow boy is the Buddha himself.Venerable Fusidi felt particularly affectionate about them.He will soon be chatting with them.Perhaps they can also continue the Buddha's family business.Fuxi learned that to inherit the Buddha's family business, one must first be as careful as the Buddha to observe everything, focus on peaceful steps, and always smile with compassion.
Buddha is the origin.Venerable Fusidi and these young cow boys are the rivers branched from the source.Wherever these rivers go, the Buddha will be there.
