Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

By Dharmaraksha of the Northern Liang dynasty 502-555 2. By Dharmaraksha " " " 3. By Fa Hian and Buddhabhadra of the Eastern Tsin dynasty 317-419 4. By Gñânabhadra and others of the Eastern Tang dynasty 620-904 5. By Dharmagupta and others of the Western Tsin dynasty 265-313 6. By Fa Hian of the Eastern Tsin dynasty 317-419 7. Unknown. 8. By Dharmabodhi of the Former Wei dynasty Indian author, Vasubandhu. circa 200 Whether Nos. 1 and 2, and again 3 and 6 are the same is not stated; and in the Indian Antiquary for 1875 Mr. Beal gives an account of another undated work, as existing in the India Office Collection, bearing a different title from any of the above, but which he also translates as Mahâparinibbâna Sutta. It purports to be the very oldest of the Vaipulya Sûtras, whereas the book quoted in the Catena is there said to be 'one of the latest of the expanded Sûtras.' 'The general outline,' says Mr. Beal[1], 'is this. Buddha, on a certain occasion, proceeded to Kinsinagara (sic), and entering a grove of Sâla trees, there reposed. He received a gift of food from Chanda, an artisan of the neighbouring town. After partaking of the food he was seized with illness. He discoursed through the night with his disciples, and disputed with certain heretical teachers. At early dawn he turned on his right side with his head to the north, and died. The Sâla trees bent down to form a canopy over his head. The account then proceeds to relate