[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c14.1004 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.1004 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c14.1004 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c14.1004](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14.1004) The next day Ānanda informs the Mallas of Kusinārā of the Buddha's death, and for seven days they hold a great celebration. On the seventh day, following Ānanda's instructions, they prepare the body for cremation, taking it in procession by the eastern gate to the Makuṭabandhana shrine, thus altering their proposed route, in order to satisfy the wishes of the gods, as communicated to them by Anuruddha. The whole town is covered knee-deep with mandārava-flowers, which fall from the sky. When, however, four of the chief Mallas try to light the pyre, their attempt is unsuccessful and they must wait until Mahā Kassapa, coming with a company of five hundred monks, has saluted it. The Commentaries (e.g., DA. ii. 603) add that Mahā Kassapa greatly desired that the Buddha's feet should rest on his head when he worshipped the pyre. The wish was granted: the feet appeared through the pyre, and when Kassapa had worshipped them, the pyre closed together. The pyre burns completely away, leaving no cinders nor soot. Streams of water fall from the sky to extinguish it and the Mallas pour on it scented water. They then place a fence of spears around it and continue their celebrations for seven days. At the end of that period there appear several claimants for the Buddha’s relics: Ajātasattu, the Licchavis of Vesālī, the Sākiyans of Kapilavatthu, the Bulis of Allakappa, the Koliyas of Rāmagāma, a brahmin of Veṭhadīpa and the Mallas of Pāvā. But the Mallas of Kusinārā refusing to share the relics with the others, there is danger of war. Then the brahmin Doṇa counsels concord and divides the relics into eight equal parts for the eight claimants. Doṇa takes for himself the measuring vessel and the Moriyas of Pipphalivana, who arrive late, carry off the ashes. Thūpas were built over these remains and feasts held in honour of the Buddha.⁶² - [Previous: v1.c14.1003](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14.1003) - [Next: v1.c14.1005](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14.1005) - [Up: v1.c14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14.1004](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c14.1004) · Pramāṇa