In The Buddha's Footsteps (7)

"And the Lord said to Ananda: 'Ananda, it may be that you will think: "The Teachers's instruction has ceased, now we have no teacher!" It should not be seen like this, Ananda, for what I have taught and explained to you as Dhamma and discipline will, at my passing, be your teacher."
- Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya, verse 6.1

Saturday, 28th March 2009, Kusinara

After taking some traditional medicines, Chinese and also Thai prescriptions, I felt better already. The Wat Thai Kusinara environment was is very suitable for pilgrims and also those who wants to have a retreat there.

Wat Thai Kusinara is very well-maintained and the compound is covered with trees and other plants.
Facilities for meditators are ample within the temple compound.

The first place that we visited was the Nirvana Temple and Stupa which is the main site that Buddhist pilgrims normally visits when they are in Kusinara.

Even though the Nirvana Temple was only built in 1956, what is more important is that the stupa was built over the very site where Lord Buddha attained final Nibbana.

In front of the Nirvana Temple are Sal trees. As mentioned in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Buddha's final passing took place between two Sal trees as mentioned in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta verse 4.38 as follows.

"Tonight, Ananda, in the last watch, in the sal-grove of the Mallas near Kusinara, between two sal-trees, the Tathagata's final passing will take place...."

Inside the Nirvana Temple is a 6.1 meters reclining Buddha statue which reflects the position of Lord Buddha during His Mahaparinibbana.

"....There the Lord said: "Ananda, prepare me a bed between these twin sal-trees with my head to the north. I am tired and want to lie down. 'Very good, Lord', said Ananda, and did so. Then the Lord lay down on his right side in the lion-posture, placing one foot on the other, mindful and clearly aware."
- Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya, verse 5.1

I was surprised when the bus stopped nearby the Kushinagar Clinic. I thought the intention was to enable those having medical problem to have a check-up, including me!

When we went in then only I realized the purpose is for us to have an understanding of the welfare project partly sponsored by the Thai people including Wat Thai Kusinara. Patients are treated free-of-charge in this clinic.

The Kushinagar Clinic is building another facility for the patients and visitors are encouraged to be part of the development by offering their pot of sand.

At the north-west of Kusinara is the village of Pava where Cunda the blacksmith has a mango grove. When Cunda heard the Lord had arrived at Pava and staying at his mang0 grove, he went to pay his respects and listens to His discourse on the Dhamma. Then Cunda invited Buddha and His order of monks to his house for dana the next day. (Mahaparinibbana Sutta verse 4.14 & 4.15)

We visited a stupa in Pava which once stood the house of Cunda, where he offered Buddha His last meal before His MahaParinibbana.

This is the Ramabhar Stupa which was built to mark the spot where Lord Buddha was cremated. In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, this place was mentioned as the Mallas' shrine at Makuta-Bandhana. ( Verse 6.15 & 6.16)

"Then the Venerable Kassapa the Great went to the Mallas' shrine at Makuta-Bandhana to the Lord's funeral pyre and, covering one shoulder with his robe, joined his hands in salutation, circumambulated the pyre three times and, uncovering the Lord's feet, paid homage with his head to them, and the five hundred monks did likewise. And when this was done, the Lord's funeral pyre ignited of itself."
- Mahaparinibbana Sutta, Digha Nikaya, verse 6.22

We had our chanting, meditation and then circumambulate the stupa. The sound of chant vibrates throughout the surrounding areas. It was also a reflection for all of us on the law of impermanency, where all things are subject to change and decay. Life is uncertain, death is certain.

"Then the Lord said to the monks: 'Now, monks, I declare to you: all conditioned things are of a nature to decay - strive on diligently.' These were the Tathagata's last words. "

- Mahaparinibbana Sutta,Digha Nikaya, verse 6.7

To be continued....