old-path-white-clouds-thich-nhat-hanh

Chapter Eighty-One
Old Path White Clouds
W hen day broke, Venerable Anuruddha said to Venerable Ananda, “Brother, go into Kusinara and inform the authorities that our Master
has passed away so that they may begin the necessary arrangements.”
Venerable Ananda put on his outer robe and entered town. The Malla officials were holding a meeting to discuss local matters. When
they learned the Buddha had passed away they expressed deep sorrow and regret. They put aside all other work in order to make
arrangements for the Buddha’s funeral. By the time the sun was perched above the trees, everyone in Kusinara knew of the Buddha’s
death in the forest of sal trees. Many beat their chests and sobbed. They regretted they had not been able to look upon and bow to the
Buddha before his death. People came to the forest bearing flowers, incense, musical instruments, and cloth streamers. They prostrated and
placed flowers and incense around his body. They performed special songs and dances, and draped colorful streamers throughout the
forest. People brought food offerings to the five hundred bhikkhus. Before long the sal forest had the atmosphere of a festival. Occasionally,
Venerable Anuruddha invited the sound of the large bell to call people back to silence. He then led everyone in reciting passages from the
sutras.
For six days and nights, the people of Kusinara and nearby Pava came to offer flowers, incense, dance, and music. Man-darava
blossoms and other flowers soon thickly carpeted the area between the two sal trees. On the seventh day the Malla authorities bathed
themselves in water perfumed with incense, put on ceremonial garments, and carried the Buddha’s body into town. They passed through
the town’s center and out the East gate to Makuta-Bandhana temple, the main temple of the Mallas.
For six days and nights, the people of Kusinara came to the sal forest to offer flowers, incense, dance, and music to the Buddha.