Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.424

v1.c7.424

The Pāli Canon makes no mention of Ānanda’s death. Fa Hsien,¹¹⁸ however, relates what was probably an old tradition. When Ānanda was on his way from Magadha to Vesālī, there to die, Ajātasattu heard that he was coming, and, with his retinue, followed him up to the Rohiṇī River. The chiefs of Vesālī also heard the news and went out to meet him, and both parties reached the river banks. Ānanda, not wishing to incur the displeasure of either party, entered into the state of tejokasiṇa in the middle of the river and his body went up in flames. His remains were divided into two portions, one for each party, and they built cetiyas for their enshrinement.¹¹⁹