Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, Middle Scroll

At that time, Fuboyudi and his companions said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, from now on, we will guide one another with the highest teachings." So Fuboyudi and his five hundred followers, right before the Buddha, took refuge in the Triple Gem and accepted the Five Precepts. Fuboyudi and the others then said to the Buddha, "We only ask that the World-Honored One and the community of monks accept our offering tomorrow." The Buddha silently agreed.

Knowing that the Buddha had accepted, Fuboyudi and his party rose from their seats, bowed to the Buddha, and departed. Returning to their home, they spent the entire night preparing fine, fragrant foods and drinks. When the next day arrived and mealtime drew near, they sent a messenger to say, "World-Honored One, it is time, as you know."

Thus, the Buddha, surrounded by the community of monks, went to their home and sat down in proper order. Seeing that the Buddha and the monks were comfortably seated, Fuboyudi brought water for washing and personally served all the delicious food and drink. Additionally, five hundred other Brahmins, elders, and householders brought fine dishes to that home and joined in making offerings to the Buddha.

At that time, after speaking these verses, the Thus-Come-One delivered various teachings to the assembly. Then, the five hundred people, including King Pojayati, saw the teachings clearly, free from impurities and defilements, achieving the pure Dharma eye.

Then the World-Honored One, along with the community of monks, rose from their seats and continued their journey toward the city of Pawa. King Pojayati and the five hundred people wept sorrowfully as they bid farewell to the Thus-Come-One. They lingered in admiration, reluctant to part, only returning after their last hope had faded.

At that time, the World-Honored One arrived at that city. In that city, there was a craftsman's son named Cunda, who had a garden that was extremely quiet and peaceful. The Tathāgata, accompanied by the monks surrounding him, went and stayed in that garden. When Cunda heard that the Buddha and the monastic community had come to his garden, he was filled with joy and excitement, unable to contain himself. Along with his companions, he went to where the Buddha was. He prostrated himself, touching his head to the Buddha's feet, then stepped aside and addressed the Buddha: "May I ask, World-Honored One, what is the reason for your coming here? Do you have some other purpose?" The World-Honored One replied: "The reason I have come here now is that I will soon enter Parinirvāṇa. Therefore, I have come for this final meeting." When Cunda and his companions heard these words, their hearts were filled with great sorrow, and they fell unconscious to the ground. After a long while, they spoke in faint voices, saying: "World-Honored One, are you now abandoning all sentient beings without compassion? Why would you wish to enter Parinirvāṇa? We only beg the World-Honored One to remain in this world for a full kalpa, or even less than a kalpa!" They then beat their heads and chests, crying out loudly, saying: "Alas! How bitter! The world's eye will be lost! From now on, all sentient beings will be submerged in the sea of birth and death, with no hope of escape. Why is this? Because the supreme teacher will have entered Parinirvāṇa."

Then the World-Honored One said to Cunda: "You should not give rise to sorrow now. All conditioned things are like this; they are always subject to change by impermanence. Where there are ties of love and affection, there must eventually be separation. Therefore, do not let sorrow arise within you now."

Then Chunda said to the Buddha: "I now understand that all conditioned things are impermanent, and that gatherings born of love and affection will all end in separation. Yet the Supreme Honored One is about to enter Parinirvāṇa—how could I not be filled with sorrow?"

Then the World-Honored One gave various teachings to Chunda. Having heard them, Chuṇda's sorrow and distress lessened slightly. He rose from his seat, straightened his robes, bared his right shoulder, and prostrated at the Buddha's feet, saying: "World-Honored One, I humbly request that you accept a modest meal at my home tomorrow." The World-Honored One silently consented. Knowing the Buddha had agreed, Chuṇda bowed at his feet and withdrew.

Chunda returned home and spent the entire night preparing many fine foods and drinks. When it was time for the meal the next morning, he sent a messenger to inform the Buddha: "May the World-Honored One please come at his convenience." Then the Tathāgata, surrounded by the monks, went to his house and sat down in order. Seeing the Buddha seated, Chuṇda offered water for washing and personally served the finest dishes. When the World-Honored One and the monks had finished eating and washed their bowls, they returned to their seats. Chunda also sat down.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Chunda: "You have already performed a rare act of merit, offering the final meal to the Buddha and his community of monks. The reward for this will never be exhausted. Of all the blessings planted by living beings, none can equal yours. You should rejoice in your heart. For I have now received your last invitation and will not accept any other offerings."

At that moment, the World-Honored One spoke this verse: