Ananda, the Buddha's devoted attendant for twenty-five years, stood weeping beside his master at Kushinagar, and the dying Buddha turned to console him, declaring that all who had practiced with faith would attain liberation — the parinirvana would not sever their bond to the Dharma.
Gautama Buddha, eighty years old and ailing, chose the remote town of Kushinagar for his final rest, lay down between twin sala trees, passed through every stage of meditative absorption, and entered parinirvana — the complete cessation from which there is no return.
Mahakashyapa was travelling when Parinirvana occurred and arrived at Kushinagar days later, whereupon the funeral pyre refused to light until he paid his respects — he then led the cremation rites and convened the First Council to preserve the teachings.
Mara appeared to the Buddha at the Capala shrine months before his death, reminding him of a promise made years earlier to pass away once the Sangha was established, and the Buddha consented, relinquishing his remaining lifespan and setting the parinirvana in motion.
Subhadda, a wandering ascetic, came to the dying Buddha's side at Kushinagar, was granted a final audience over Ananda's objections, and after hearing the Dharma became the last person the Buddha personally ordained before the parinirvana.
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