釋迦譜 4.27

4.27

時波波國末羅民眾。聞佛雙樹滅度。皆自念言。今我宜往求舍利分。起塔供養。時波波國諸末羅即下國中嚴四種兵。象兵馬兵。車兵步兵。到拘尸城遣使者言。聞佛眾祐止此滅度。彼亦我師敬慕之心。來請骨分。當於本國起塔供養。拘尸王答如是如是。誠如君言。但世尊垂降此土。於茲滅度。國內士民當自供養。遠勞諸君分舍利。分恐不可得。時遮頗國諸跋離民眾。及羅摩伽國拘利民眾。毘留提國婆羅門眾。迦維衛國釋種民眾。毘舍離國離車民眾。及摩竭王阿闍世聞如來於拘尸城雙樹間。而取滅度皆自念言。今我宜往求舍利分。時諸國王阿闍世等。即下國中嚴四種兵進渡恒水。即勅婆羅門香姓。汝持我名入拘尸城。致問諸末羅等。起居輕利遊步強耶。吾於諸賢每相宗敬。隣國義和曾無諍訟。我聞如來於君國內。而取滅度。唯無上尊實我所天。故從遠來求諸骨分。欲還本土起塔供養。設與我者。舉國重寶與君共之。時香姓婆羅門受王教已。即詣彼城語諸末羅。時諸末羅報香姓曰。誠如君言。但為世尊。垂降此土於茲滅度。國內士民自當供養。遠勞諸君分舍利分。不可得。時諸國王即集群臣眾。共立議作頌告曰。

At that time, the Mallas of the country of Pāvā heard that the Buddha had passed into extinction between the twin trees. They all thought to themselves, “Now we ought to go and request a share of the relics, and erect a stūpa to make offerings.” Then the Mallas of the country of Pāvā immediately issued orders throughout their realm and arrayed the fourfold army: elephant troops, cavalry, chariot troops, and infantry. Reaching the city of Kuśīnagara, they sent an envoy, who said, “Hearing that the Buddha, the All-blessed One, has come here and passed into extinction, and since he was also our Teacher, out of hearts full of reverent devotion we have come to request a share of his bones, so that we may erect a stūpa and make offerings in our own country.” The king of Kuśīnagara replied, “So it is, so it is; it is truly as you say. Yet the World-Honoured One condescended to come to this land and passed into extinction here. The people and ministers within our realm ought to make offerings themselves. It is a long toil for you to come to divide the relics, and I fear a share cannot be granted.” At that time, the Bulis of Allakappa, the Kolis of Rāmagāma, the brāhmaṇas of Vethadīpa, the Śākyas of Kapilavastu, the Licchavis of Vaiśālī, and Ajātaśatru, the king of Magadha, all heard that the Tathāgata had passed into extinction between the twin trees in the city of Kuśīnagara, and each thought to themselves, “Now I ought to go and request a share of the relics.” Then King Ajātaśatru and the other kings immediately issued orders throughout their realms, arrayed the fourfold armies, and advanced, crossing the Gaṅgā River. [Ajātaśatru] then instructed the brāhmaṇa Droṇa: “Bearing my name, enter the city of Kuśīnagara and ask the Mallas: ‘Are your daily movements light and easy, and your steps vigorous? I have always respected all of you worthy ones; between our neighbouring states there has been harmony in righteousness, never disputes or litigation. I have heard that the Tathāgata has passed into extinction within your country. He who alone is the Unsurpassed Honoured One is truly our deity. Therefore we have come from afar to request a share of his bones, wishing to return to our homeland to erect a stūpa and make offerings. If you grant them to me, I will share the great treasures of my entire realm with you.’” Then the brāhmaṇa Droṇa, having received the king’s instruction, went straight to that city and spoke to the Mallas. The Mallas replied to Droṇa: “It is truly as you say. But because the World-Honoured One condescended to come to this land and passed into extinction here, the people and ministers within our realm ought naturally to make offerings themselves. It is a long toil for you to come to divide the relics; a share cannot be granted.” Then the kings assembled their ministers and together reached an agreement, composing a verse to proclaim: