佛祖統紀 34.41

34.41

In the fifty-third year (renshin), on the fifteenth day of the second month, the Buddha was in the city of Kuśinagara (translated as 'triangle'), the birthplace of the Mallas, between the twin śāla trees (translated as 'firm and solid'). On the verge of nirvāṇa (translated as 'extinction and crossing over'), he emitted a great voice, broadly announcing to the great assembly: 'Today the World-Honoured One is about to enter nirvāṇa.' Then from his mouth he emitted various radiances, shining everywhere through the ten directions. After the great assembly had gathered, he preached the Dharma for them: 'All the unsurpassed true Dharma that I now possess has been entrusted to Mahākāśyapa; he shall serve as your great refuge, just like the Tathāgata.' He further told the great assembly: 'Now I entrust the true Dharma to kings, ministers, and the fourfold assembly; you should exhort and encourage all students to attain superior morality, concentration, and wisdom.' At that time, the World-Honoured One lay on his right side on a seven-jeweled couch. In the middle of the night, all was silent without a sound. At this time, the twin śāla trees drooped and covered the jeweled couch, mournfully turning white like white cranes. The sorrowful cries of the great assembly shook the entire world. Then the great assembly together helped the Tathāgata into a golden coffin. Out of great compassion, the World-Honoured One himself lifted the coffin, circled the city seven times, and arrived at the cremation ground. Using fine aromatic wood, the assembly built a great fragrant tower and lifted the coffin onto it. For Kāśyapa's sake, the Buddha once again made his two feet with the marks of thousand-spoked wheels appear outside the coffin. Kāśyapa bowed in reverence and praised him; the adamantine feet returned into the coffin on their own. Fire welled up from his heart and chest outside the coffin, gradually cremating him. Only after seven days was the fragrant tower exhausted. (All the above is from the Nirvāṇa Sūtra. Cremation is also jhāpita, here translated as 'cremation by fire'.)