Parinirvana

Yesterday, February 15, was the Mahayana Buddhist holy day, Parinirvana, which marks the death of the Buddha. He died in a state of meditation, and attained nirvana, a release from the cycle of death and rebirth.

"The Buddha and his monks came to a grove of sal trees in Kushinagar. The Buddha asked Ananda to prepare a couch between two trees, with his head to the north. I am weary and want to lie down, he said. When the couch was ready, the Buddha lay down on his right side, one foot upon the other, with his head supported by his right hand. Then the sal trees bloomed, although it was not their season, pale yellow petals rained down on the Buddha.

Then the Buddha said, All compounded things are subject to decay. Strive with diligence. Then, serenely, he passed into Parinirvana."

-Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

[NOTE: The image above is the reclining Buddha in Myitkyina (see Reclining Buddha and Reclining Buddha II)].