The Religions of India c19.54

c19.54

The story of Buddha’s death is told simply and clearly. He crossed the Ganges, where at that time was building the town of Patna (Pāṭaliputta, ‘Palibothra’), and prophesied its future greatness (it was the chief city of India for centuries after); then, going north from Rājagriha, in Behār, and Vāiçālī, he proceeded to a point east of Gorukhpur (Kasia). Tradition thus makes him wander over the most familiar places till he comes back almost to his own country. There, in the region known to him as a youth, weighed down with years and ill-health, but surrounded by his most faithful disciples, he died. Not unaffecting is the final scene.¹