In the midst there was one Malla, his mind enamoured of the righteous law, who gazed with steadfastness upon the holy law-king, now entered on the mighty calm, and said:  “The world was everywhere asleep, when Buddha setting forth his law caused it to awake; but now he has entered on the mighty calm, and all is finished in an unending sleep.  For man’s sake he had raised the standard of his law, and now, in a moment, it has fallen; the sun of Tathagata’s wisdom spreading abroad the lustre of its ’great awakening,’ increasing ever more and more in glory, spreading abroad the thousand rays of highest knowledge, scattering and destroying all the gloom of earth, why has the darkness great come back again?  His unequalled wisdom lightening the three worlds, giving eyes that all the world might see, now suddenly the world is blind again, bewildered, ignorant of the way; in a moment fallen the bridge of truth that spanned the rolling stream of birth and death, the swelling flood of lust and rage and doubt, and all flesh overwhelmed therein, forever lost.”

Thus all that Malla host wept piteously and lamented; whilst some concealed their grief nor spoke a word; others sank prostrate on the earth; others stood silent, lost in meditation; others, with sorrowful heart, groaned deeply.  Then on a gold and silver gem-decked couch richly adorned with flowers and scents, they placed the body of Tathagata; a jewelled canopy they raised above, and round it flags and streamers and embroidered banners; then using every kind of dance and music, the lords and ladies of the Mallas followed along the road presenting offerings, whilst all the Devas scattered scents and flowers, and raised the sound of drums and music in the heavens.  Thus men and Devas shared one common sorrow, their cries united as they grieved together.  Entering the city, there the men and women, old and young, completed their religious offerings.  Leaving the city, then, and passing through the Lung-tsiang gate, and crossing over the Hiranyavati river, they repaired to where the former Buddhas, having died, had Kaityas raised to them.  There collecting ox-head sandal-wood and every famous scented wood, they placed the whole above the Buddha’s body, pouring various scented oils upon the pyre; then placing fire beneath to kindle it, three times they walked around; but yet it burned not.  At this time the great Kasyapa had taken his abode at Ragagriha, and knowing Buddha was about to die was coming thence with all his followers; his pure mind, deeply moved, desired to see the body of the lord; and so, because of that his sincere wish, the fire went out and would not kindle.  Then Kasyapa and his followers coming, with piteous sighs looked on the sight and reverenced at the master’s feet; and then, forthwith, the fire burst out.  Quenched the fire of grief within; without, the fire has little power to burn.  Or though it burn the outside skin and flesh, the diamond true-bone still remains.  The scented oil consumed, the fire declines,