On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c17.s3.70

v2.c17.s3.70

Beside the Cremation Tope, our pilgrim continues, was a tope on the spot where the dead Buddha put his feet out of the coffin to show them to Mahākāśyapa. When the Ju-lai's golden coffin had descended, he relates, and the funeral pile was ready it could not be ignited. Aniruddha explained to the trembling crowd that the cremation could not take place until Kāśyapa was present. When the latter arrived from the forest with his 500 disciples he asked Ānanda to allow him to see the Buddha's body. As this was swathed in 1000 folds of cloth Ānanda refused to open the coffin, but the dead Buddha caused the lid to rise, and then put out his feet to let Kāśyapa see them. This disciple observing that the feet were discoloured, asked Ānanda for the explanation, and was told that the stains were due to the excessive weeping of the crowds of devas and men at the momeut of the Buddha's death. When Kāśyapa had finished his services of honour to the deceased Master the sweet-scented wood was spontaneously ignited, and made a great fire.