last import

Fragment of a relief showing the Buddha’s death. Despite being ill after receiving food offerings, the Buddha continues to travel to Kapilavastu until he is forced to stop at Kuśīnagara in a śala forest. Here he announces to his retinue that he will soon pass away. He delivers his last prescriptions to Ānanda and ordains his last convert, Subhadra. He then enters his final meditation and dies, achieving his final nirvāṇa. Gods, princes and monks gather to mourn the deceased Buddha. Mahākāśyapa arrives seven days later to pay his last homage. The Buddha is lying on his right side over a bed with turned legs and a drape hanging on the front. In front of the bed are the remains of Subhadra, sitting back-turned in padmāsana and dhyānamudrā. In the background, behind the bed, are the scanty remains of two figure, that on the left is wearing a short necklace.