unfixed, unprofitable, without the marks of long endurance.  In ancient days the Rishi kings, Vasishtha Rishi, Mandhatri, the Kakravartin monarchs, and the rest, these and all others like them, the former conquerors, who lived with strength like Isvara, these all have long ago perished, not one remains till now; the sun and moon, Sakra himself, and the great multitude of his attendants, will all, without exception, perish; there is not one that can for long endure; all the Buddhas of the past ages, numerous as the sands of the Ganges, by their wisdom enlightening the world, have all gone out as a lamp; all the Buddhas yet to come will also perish in the same way; why then should I alone be different?  I too will pass into Nirvana; but as they prepared others for salvation, so now should you press forward in the path; Vaisali may be glad indeed, if you should find the way of rest!  The world, in truth, is void of help, the ‘three worlds’ not enough for joy—­stay then the course of sorrow, by engendering a heart without desire.  Give up for good the long and straggling way of life, press onward on the northern track, step by step advance along the upward road, as the sun skirts along the western mountains.”

At this time the Likkhavis, with saddened hearts, went back along the way; lifting their hands to heaven and sighing bitterly:  “Alas! what sorrow this!  His body like the pure gold mountain, the marks upon his person so majestic, ere long and like a towering crag he falls; not to live, then why not, ‘not to love’?  The powers of birth and death, weakened awhile, the lord Tathagata, himself the fount of wisdom appeared, and now to give it up and disappear! without a saviour now, what check to sorrow?  The world long time endured in darkness, and men were led by a false light along the way—­when lo! the sun of wisdom rose; and now, again, it fades and dies—­no warning given.  Behold the whirling waves of ignorance engulfing all the world!  Why is the bridge or raft of wisdom in a moment cut away?  The loving and the great physician king came with remedies of wisdom, beyond all price, to heal the hurts and pains of men—­why suddenly goes he away?  The excellent and heavenly flag of love adorned with wisdom’s blazonry, embroidered with the diamond heart, the world not satisfied with gazing on it, the glorious flag of heavenly worship!  Why in a moment is it snapped?  Why such misfortune for the world, when from the tide of constant revolutions a way of escape was opened—­but now shut again! and there is no escape from weary sorrow!  Tathagata, possessed of fond and loving heart, now steels himself and goes away; he holds his heart so patient and so loving, and, like the Wai-ka-ni flower, with thoughts cast down, irresolute and tardy, he goes depressed along the road.  Or like a man fresh from a loved one’s grave, the funeral past and the last farewell taken, comes back with anxious look.”

Parinirvana