經律異相 4.13

4.13

Ānanda asked about the funeral. The Buddha said: “The method of my funeral shall be like that of a wheel-turning sage king: first wash the body with scented water, wrap the body in cotton cloth, and next bind it with five hundred layers of fine white wool. Place it inside a golden coffin, and pour sesame oil over it. Then place the golden coffin inside an iron outer coffin, and encircle the outside of that with a sandalwood outer coffin. Pile up fragrant firewood thickly upon it, and cremate it (jhāpeti). When the wood is consumed and the fire extinguished, collect the śarīra and erect a stūpa at the crossroads, erecting a pillar and hanging banners, so that those who see it will feel longing and affection, bringing them great benefit.” The Buddha said, “There are four kinds of persons for whom stūpas should be erected: first, a Tathāgata; second, a pratyekabuddha; third, a śrāvaka; and fourth, a wheel-turning king. All should be worshipped with fragrant flowers, banners, parasols, and music.”

Between the twin trees, the Buddha arranged a couch, placing his head to the south and facing north. The reason for this is that the Buddha’s Dharma, in its dissemination, would long abide in the north. The Buddha folded his saṃghāṭī robe, lay on his right side like a lion king, with his feet resting one upon the other. Ānanda also asked: “In the realm of Jambudvīpa, how many kinds of funerals are there?” The Buddha said: “Innumerable. In this land of mine, there are water burials, fire burials, and burials in stūpas and tombs. The funeral customs of the people of the land of Cīnasthāna (Zhendan) use gold, silver, rare gems, and carved chariots, with flying celestials, musical performers, bells, and chants to please the deceased. The body is dressed in clothes and placed into inner and outer coffins with exquisite fragrance. Thousands and millions of people escort it to the mountain wilds to adorn the place; the people who see it are all filled with joy. When the kings on the borders of Cīnasthāna and the people they govern wish to conduct a funeral, they take the coffin and place it inside a stone chamber. On days of sickness, they open it to view the skeleton, washing it and seeking blessings so that the illness may be cured. There are also those who, upon dying, have no inner or outer coffin, but directly take the corpse and place it upon a high pavilion; in times of urgency and illness, they bring the corpse down and chant prayers to seek blessing and protection.” The Buddha said: “When those who learn in my Dharma wish to cultivate merit, they should be diligent and energetic, practicing the six pāramitās and upholding the ten wholesome deeds; thus they may be born in heaven and advance toward the unsurpassed Way.” (From the sixth fascicle of the Guanding jing and the first fascicle of the Dīrgha Āgama).