經律異相 4.17

4.17

When the Buddha entered parinirvāṇa, Lady Māyā was in the heavens, where the five signs of decline appeared [on her body]: first, the flowers atop her head withered; second, sweat issued from under her armpits; third, the light at the nape of her neck went out; fourth, both her eyes blinked frequently; fifth, she took no delight in her original seat. She also had five dreams: first, Mount Sumeru collapsed and the waters of the four seas dried up; second, rākṣasas ran about gouging out people's eyes; third, the devas lost their jeweled crowns and their bodies lacked radiance; fourth, the jewel banner fell and the wish-fulfilling gem was lost; fifth, a lion bit her body, causing pain like being cut with knives. Having had these dreams, she immediately awoke in fright, [thinking,] "These are inauspicious. Formerly, while residing in the palace of King Śuddhodana, I had a rare dream during a daytime nap: I saw a devaputra with a body of golden hue, riding atop a king of white elephants, followed by various devaputras playing wondrous music. The essence of the blazing sun entered my right side, my body and mind felt peace and bliss, and I forthwith became pregnant. Prince Siddhārtha then illuminated the world. Now these five dreams are terrifying indeed; they must surely be signs of my son's nirvāṇa." At that time, after Aniruddha had finished encoffining the Buddha, he ascended to the Trāyastriṃśa heaven and informed Māyā in verse. Māyā lost consciousness for a long while; then, accompanied by her retinue, she descended to between the twin trees. Seeing the saṅghāṭī robe, the alms bowl, and the staff, she held them, wailed and wept bitterly, fainted, and upon reviving said, "My son brought blessings and salvation to gods and humans; now these items are deserted and masterless." By his spiritual power, the Buddha caused the coffin lids to open of themselves. The Buddha arose with palms joined, radiated a great light, and inquired after his mother, saying, "You have deigned to come down from afar. All conditioned phenomena are thus by nature; pray do not weep." Although Ānanda was restraining himself, he addressed the Buddha, "Sentient beings of future generations will surely ask me, 'What did the Buddha say when he was on the verge of extinction?' How should I answer them?" The Buddha told Ānanda, "You should answer: 'After the Buddha had already entered nirvāṇa, Lady Māyā descended. For the sake of unfilial beings in future generations, the Tathāgata emerged from the golden coffin, joined his palms to inquire after her, and spoke the verses of reverence above.' This sūtra is named *Sūtra on the Meeting of Mother and Son at the Buddha's Impending Nirvāṇa*; uphold it thus." (Drawn from the lower fascicle of the *Māyā-sūtra*.)