English
English version: Ananda asked: 'Why should we also make the Pratyekabuddhas (solitary awakened ones) rise and offer respectful worship, just like the Tathagata (Buddha)?' The Buddha told Ananda: 'Those Pratyekabuddhas, through understanding the causes and conditions of the Dharma, have entered the profound nature of Dharma, have already escaped all the faults of existence, and are able to be fields of merit for humans and devas. Because of this cause, building stupas for them to be worshipped, the merit obtained is second only to the Tathagata, and can enable all sentient beings to obtain wonderful results. Ananda, those Arhats (saints who have attained liberation), in the three realms, the causes of birth and death have been exhausted, they will not receive future lives, their pure practice has been established, and they are able to be fields of merit for the world. Therefore, stupas should be built for them to be worshipped, the merit obtained is second only to the Pratyekabuddhas, and can also enable all sentient beings to obtain liberation. Ananda, those Chakravartin Kings (virtuous rulers of the world), although they have not liberated themselves from the afflictions of the three realms, because of the power of their merit, they rule the four continents, and use the ten virtuous deeds to educate sentient beings, and are respected by all sentient beings. Therefore, building stupas for them to be worshipped, the merit obtained is also immeasurable.' Ananda said to the Buddha: 'After the Buddha enters Nirvana (passing away), where should all the fourfold assembly (monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen) cremate the Tathagata to collect the relics (Buddha's remains)? Please show us the way.' The Buddha told Ananda: 'After the Buddha enters Nirvana, if all the fourfold assembly cremate the Tathagata within the city of Kushinagar, the people in the city will all compete for the throne, and there will be mutual attacks and endless disputes, and it will also cause the opportunities for everyone to obtain merit to be different. Ananda, all the fourfold assembly can cremate the Tathagata outside the city! In order to allow the world to obtain equal merit.' Ananda said to the Buddha: 'After the Buddha enters Nirvana and the cremation is completed, where should all the fourfold assembly collect the relics, place them in precious vases, and build seven-jeweled stupas, so that everyone can worship with a sincere heart? Please show us the way.' The Buddha told Ananda: 'After the Buddha enters Nirvana and the cremation is completed, all the fourfold assembly should collect the relics, place them in seven-jeweled vases, and build a seven-jeweled stupa at the crossroads in the city of Kushinagar—thirteen stories high, with a spire on top, decorated with various treasures, adorned with all kinds of wonderful flower banners of the world, the railings on all four sides are made of seven jewels, and all the decorations are very complete. The four sides of the stupa' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
面面开一门，层层间次窗牖相当——安置宝瓶如来舍利，天人四众瞻仰供养。阿难！其辟支佛塔应十一层，亦以众宝而严饰之。阿难！其阿罗汉塔成以四层，亦以众宝而严饰之。阿难！其转轮王塔，亦七宝成，无复层级。何以故？未脱三界诸有苦故。” 尔时，阿泥楼逗白佛言：“佛涅槃后，茶毗已讫，一切天人四部大众，如何分布如来舍利，而得供养？” 尔时，佛告阿泥楼逗：“我般涅槃，汝等天人取佛舍利，以平等心分布三界、一切六道，世间供养。” 尔时，释提桓因白佛：“我今从佛，敬请如来半身舍利，而我深心愿供养故。” 佛告天帝：“如来等视众生如罗睺罗，汝不应请半身舍利。何以故？平等利祐诸众生故。”佛告天帝：“我今与汝右边上颔一牙舍利，可于天上起塔供养，能令汝得福德无尽。” 尔时，天人、一切大众悲哀流泪，不能自裁。尔时，世尊普告四众：“佛般涅槃，汝等天人莫大愁恼。何以故？佛虽涅槃，而有舍利常存供养。复有无上法宝——修多罗藏、毗那耶藏、阿毗达磨藏——以是因缘，三宝、四谛常住于世，能令众生深心归依。何以故？供养舍利即是佛宝，见佛即见法身，见法即见贤圣，见贤圣故即见四谛，见四谛故即见涅槃，是故当知三宝常住 现代汉语译本 每一面都开一扇门，每一层都设有窗户，彼此对应——用来安置宝瓶如来（指佛陀）的舍利，让天人四众瞻仰供养。阿难！辟支佛（独觉）的塔应该有十一层，也用各种珍宝来装饰。阿难！阿罗汉（已证悟的圣者）的塔建成四层，也用各种珍宝来装饰。阿难！转轮王（统治世界的理想君主）的塔，也用七宝建成，不再分层级。为什么呢？因为他们还没有脱离三界（欲界、色界、无色界）的各种痛苦。 那时，阿泥楼逗（佛陀的弟子）问佛说：‘佛陀涅槃后，荼毗（火化）完毕，一切天人四部大众，应该如何分配如来的舍利，才能得到供养呢？’ 那时，佛陀告诉阿泥楼逗：‘我般涅槃（入灭）后，你们天人取佛舍利，以平等心分配给三界、一切六道（天道、人道、阿修罗道、畜生道、饿鬼道、地狱道），让世间供养。’ 那时，释提桓因（帝释天）对佛说：‘我今天从佛这里，恭敬地请求如来半身舍利，因为我内心深切地希望供养。’ 佛陀告诉天帝：‘如来平等看待众生如同罗睺罗（佛陀的儿子），你不应该请求半身舍利。为什么呢？因为要平等利益一切众生。’佛陀告诉天帝：‘我现在给你右边上颌的一颗牙齿舍利，可以在天上建造佛塔供养，能让你获得无尽的福德。’ 那时，天人、一切大众悲伤流泪，不能自已。那时，世尊普遍告诉四众：‘佛陀般涅槃，你们天人不要过于悲伤。为什么呢？佛陀虽然涅槃，但还有舍利常存供养。还有无上的法宝——修多罗藏（经藏）、毗那耶藏（律藏）、阿毗达磨藏（论藏）——因为这些因缘，三宝（佛、法、僧）、四谛（苦、集、灭、道）常住在世间，能让众生深深地归依。为什么呢？供养舍利就是供养佛宝，见到佛就是见到法身，见到法就是见到贤圣，见到贤圣就见到四谛，见到四谛就见到涅槃，所以应当知道三宝常住。’
English
English version Each side opens a door, and each level has windows that correspond to each other—to place the relics of the Tathagata (Buddha) in a precious vase, for gods and humans of the four assemblies to venerate and make offerings. Ananda! The stupa of a Pratyekabuddha (Solitary Buddha) should have eleven levels, also adorned with various treasures. Ananda! The stupa of an Arhat (an enlightened saint) should be built with four levels, also adorned with various treasures. Ananda! The stupa of a Chakravartin (ideal universal ruler) should also be made of seven treasures, without further levels. Why is that? Because they have not yet escaped the various sufferings of the three realms (desire realm, form realm, formless realm). At that time, Anuruddha (a disciple of the Buddha) asked the Buddha, 'After the Buddha's Nirvana, when the cremation is completed, how should all the gods, humans, and the four assemblies distribute the Tathagata's relics to receive offerings?' At that time, the Buddha told Anuruddha, 'After my Parinirvana (passing away), you gods and humans should take the Buddha's relics and distribute them with an equal mind to the three realms and all six paths (gods, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, hell beings), for the world to make offerings.' At that time, Shakra Devanam Indra (the king of the gods) said to the Buddha, 'Today, I respectfully request half of the Tathagata's relics from the Buddha, because I deeply wish to make offerings.' The Buddha told the king of the gods, 'The Tathagata views all beings equally, like Rahula (the Buddha's son), you should not request half of the relics. Why is that? Because it is to equally benefit all beings.' The Buddha told the king of the gods, 'Now I will give you a tooth relic from the right upper jaw. You can build a stupa in the heavens to make offerings, which will enable you to obtain endless merit.' At that time, the gods, humans, and all the assemblies were filled with sorrow and tears, unable to control themselves. At that time, the World Honored One universally told the four assemblies, 'When the Buddha enters Parinirvana, you gods and humans should not be overly sorrowful. Why is that? Although the Buddha enters Nirvana, there are still relics that remain for offerings. There are also the supreme Dharma treasures—the Sutra Pitaka (collection of discourses), the Vinaya Pitaka (collection of monastic rules), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (collection of philosophical analysis)—because of these causes, the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and the Four Noble Truths (suffering, origin of suffering, cessation of suffering, path to the cessation of suffering) will always remain in the world, enabling beings to deeply take refuge. Why is that? Making offerings to the relics is making offerings to the Buddha Jewel, seeing the Buddha is seeing the Dharmakaya (Dharma body), seeing the Dharma is seeing the noble ones, seeing the noble ones is seeing the Four Noble Truths, seeing the Four Noble Truths is seeing Nirvana, therefore, you should know that the Three Jewels are always present.' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ，无有变易，能为世间作归依故。”
Chinese
佛复告诸大众：“汝等莫大愁苦，我今于此垂欲涅槃，若戒、若归、若常、无常、三宝、四谛、六波罗蜜、十二因缘，有所疑者，当速发问，为究竟问。佛涅槃后，无复疑悔。”三过告众。 尔时，四众忧悲苦恼，哽咽流泪，痛切中心追思恋慕，愁毒闷绝，佛神力故，掩泪寂然，无发问者。何以故？一切四众已于戒、归、三宝、四谛，通达晓了，无有疑故。 尔时，世尊知诸四众无复余疑，叹言：“善哉，善哉！汝等四众已能通达三宝、四谛无有疑也，犹如净水洗荡身垢；汝等当勤精进，早得出离，莫生愁恼迷闷乱心。” 尔时，世尊于师子座以真金手却身所著僧伽梨衣，显出紫磨黄金师子胸臆，普示大众，告言：“汝等一切天人大众，应当深心看我紫磨黄金色身。”尔时，四众一切瞻仰大觉世尊真金色身，目不暂舍，悉皆快乐，譬如比丘入第三禅，难生是中。 尔时，世尊以黄金身示大众已，即放无量无边百千万亿大涅槃光，普照十方一切世界，日月所照无复光明。放是光已，复告大众：“当知如来为汝等故，累劫勤苦，截身手足，尽修一切难行、苦行，大悲本愿于此五浊成阿耨多罗三藐三菩提，得此金刚不坏紫磨色身，具足三十二相、八十种 现代汉语译本：‘不会有变化，能够成为世间的皈依之处。’ 佛陀再次告诉大众：‘你们不要过于悲伤痛苦。我今天将要在这里进入涅槃。如果对于戒律、皈依、常与无常、三宝（佛、法、僧）、四谛（苦、集、灭、道）、六波罗蜜（布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、禅定、智慧）、十二因缘（无明、行、识、名色、六入、触、受、爱、取、有、生、老死）有任何疑问，应当尽快提问，彻底问清楚。佛陀涅槃之后，就不会再有疑惑和后悔了。’佛陀这样三次告诫大众。 当时，四众弟子忧愁悲伤，哽咽流泪，内心痛苦，追思恋慕，愁闷得几乎昏厥。因为佛陀的神力，他们掩面哭泣，寂静无声，没有人提问。为什么呢？因为所有四众弟子都已经对戒律、皈依、三宝、四谛通达明了，没有任何疑惑。 这时，世尊知道四众弟子不再有任何疑问，赞叹道：‘好啊，好啊！你们四众弟子已经能够通达三宝、四谛，没有任何疑惑了，就像用清水洗净身上的污垢一样。你们应当勤奋精进，早日解脱，不要产生忧愁烦恼，迷茫混乱的心。’ 这时，世尊在狮子座上，用金色的手将身上穿着的僧伽梨衣（僧侣的袈裟）脱下，显露出紫磨黄金般的狮子胸膛，普遍展示给大众，并说道：‘你们所有天人和大众，应当用心观看我紫磨黄金色的身体。’当时，四众弟子都瞻仰着大觉世尊的真金色身，眼睛片刻不离，都感到快乐，就像比丘进入第三禅定一样，难以从中生起烦恼。 这时，世尊将黄金身展示给大众之后，立即放出无量无边百千万亿的大涅槃光，普遍照耀十方一切世界，日月的光芒都消失了。放出光芒之后，又告诉大众：‘应当知道，如来为了你们的缘故，累劫勤苦，截断身体手足，尽力修行一切难行、苦行，以大悲本愿在这五浊恶世成就阿耨多罗三藐三菩提（无上正等正觉），得到这金刚不坏的紫磨色身，具足三十二相（佛陀的三十二种殊胜的身体特征）、八十种
English
English version: 'without change, and can be a refuge for the world.' The Buddha further addressed the assembly, 'You should not be greatly sorrowful. I am about to enter Nirvana here. If you have any doubts about the precepts, the refuge, permanence and impermanence, the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), the Four Noble Truths (suffering, origin, cessation, path), the Six Paramitas (generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, wisdom), or the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (ignorance, volitional actions, consciousness, name and form, the six sense bases, contact, feeling, craving, grasping, becoming, birth, old age and death), you should ask quickly and thoroughly. After the Buddha's Nirvana, there will be no more doubts or regrets.' The Buddha admonished the assembly three times. At that time, the four assemblies were sorrowful and grieving, sobbing and weeping, their hearts aching with longing and remembrance, and they were so distressed that they almost fainted. Because of the Buddha's spiritual power, they covered their faces and wept silently, and no one asked any questions. Why? Because all four assemblies had already understood the precepts, the refuge, the Three Jewels, and the Four Noble Truths, and had no doubts. Then, the World Honored One, knowing that the four assemblies had no further doubts, praised them, saying, 'Excellent, excellent! You four assemblies have already understood the Three Jewels and the Four Noble Truths without any doubts, just like pure water washing away the dirt from the body. You should diligently strive to attain liberation early, and not give rise to sorrow, distress, confusion, or a disordered mind.' At that time, the World Honored One, on the lion throne, used his golden hand to remove the Sanghati robe (monk's outer robe) he was wearing, revealing his purple-gold lion chest, and showed it to the assembly, saying, 'All of you, heavenly beings and the assembly, should deeply observe my purple-gold body.' At that time, the four assemblies all gazed upon the true golden body of the Greatly Awakened World Honored One, their eyes not leaving it for a moment, and they all felt joy, like a Bhikkhu entering the third Dhyana, where it is difficult to give rise to afflictions. Then, after the World Honored One had shown his golden body to the assembly, he immediately emitted immeasurable, boundless, hundreds of thousands of millions of great Nirvana lights, which illuminated all the worlds in the ten directions, and the light of the sun and moon disappeared. After emitting this light, he again told the assembly, 'You should know that for your sake, the Tathagata has diligently toiled for countless kalpas, cutting off his body, hands, and feet, and has practiced all difficult and ascetic practices, and with the great compassionate vow, has attained Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (unexcelled perfect enlightenment) in this five turbid world, and has obtained this indestructible purple-gold body, complete with the thirty-two marks (the Buddha's thirty-two auspicious physical characteristics) and eighty kinds of --------------------------------------------------------------------------------