DIVIDING THE BUDDHA’S RELICS

When the body of the Buddha had finished burning, the heavens opened and rained down to extinguish the fire, the sala trees dripped dew, and the villagers brought perfumed water. 

The bones, or relics, of the Buddha, were taken and laid in the Kusinara town hall. The villagers surrounded them with a protective fence of spears and arrows, and honoured them for seven days with song, dance, music, perfumes, and garlands of flowers.

Soon the most important nobles and families in the land started learning that the Buddha had passed away. Seven different groups each had a reason why they should get a share of the relics. For example, the King of Magadha said that both he and the Buddha were of the warrior caste, so he should receive a portion of the relics. The Sakyas of Kapilavatthu said that the Buddha was the greatest of their clan, so they should receive a portion of the relics. 

As it was the custom to set up a stupa in honour of the dead leader, each group, in turn said that they would erect a stupa over the relics and hold a festival in their honour. 

But the town leaders of Kusinara said that the Buddha had passed away in their town, so they would not part with any of the relics. 

Finally, the Brahma Dona spoke to everyone. He reminded them that the Buddha would want them to peacefully share, and not argue over his remains. Dona suggested that they split the relics into eight parts, one for each group. He said that eight stupas could be erected, reminding people all over the world of the Buddha’s teachings.

The eight groups agreed, and Dona divided the relics among them. However, he secretly hid one of the Buddha’s teeth atop his head.

But later, when Dona felt in his hair for the tooth relic, it was gone. Sakka, king of the devas, had taken it from his head. The Brahma was too ashamed to ask after it, so instead, he asked for a golden urn to build a stupa. 

One last group came forward, and said that as they were also of the warrior caste, they deserved a portion of the relics. But the relics had already been divided, so Dona offered them the Buddha’s ashes, which they accepted.

In this mural, we see the representatives of the noble groups assembled for the dividing of the relics, as Sakka, green in a red flame, swoops down to take the tooth relic from Dona’s head.