Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t12.4

v1.c7.s2.t12.4

According to Buddhist texts, the Republic of Malla was divided into two parts with one governed by the Kusinerika Malla having its capital in Kushinagar, and the other by Paveyakka Malla with capital in Pava. River Kakutha was the boundary line separating these two kingdoms. Gautam Buddha loved his Malla admirers and the region. During the course of his wanderings, he visited this area several times. At the age of 80, when he decided to take his last voyage from Rajgrha to Kushinagar, his disciple, Anand, resisted saying that this was a small uncivilised rural town. Buddha, however, reminded Anand that this was, in fact, Kushavati, a well-known, highly civilised and prosperous capital of King Mahasuddassana and preached to him about *Mahasuddassana Sutta*. It is said that Buddha mostly stayed in Baliharan in Kushinagar. But during his final visit, he chose Upvattan forest area covered with sal trees as his last stop. Out of his three discourses for the Bhikku, known as *Kusinara Sutta*, two were delivered at Baliharan and the last one was at Upvattan. Having falling ill after having taken the meal served with *sukaramaddava* at the house of his disciple, Cunda, in Pava, just before his death, he invited the Bhikkus to satisfy their queries if any. They all, however, remained silent. He then finally left his body lying under two huge sal trees.