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The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

[The Fifth Chapter for Recitation]

[37: Kusinàrà's History] For this section cf. the opening of Mahàsudassanasuttaü (DN 17). According to Yang-Gyu An (p. 167) in the other versions of this discourse the whole of Mahàsudassanasuttaü is included at this point.⁰¹

After this was said, venerable ânanda addressed the Gracious One, (saying): ßReverend Sir, may the Gracious One not attain Final Emancipation in this small town, this barren town, this branch town. There are, reverend Sir, other great towns, such as: Campà, Ràjagaha, Sàvatthã, Sàketa, Kosambã, Bàràõasã These are all major cities of their various countries. Campà in Aïgà, Ràjagaha in Magadhà, Sàvatthã in Northern Kosala, Sàketa in Southern Kosala, Kosambã in Vaüsà, Bàràõasã in Kàsã. ² - let the Gracious One attain Final Emancipation there. There are many wealthy Nobles there, wealthy brahmins, wealthy householders, who are devoted to the Realised One, and will worshipfully (dispose of) the Realised One's body.û

ßDo not say that, ânanda, do not say that, ânanda: `(This) small town, this barren town, this branch town'. Formerly, ânanda, there was a King by the name of Mahàsudassana, a Righteous Monarch, a Righteous King, who was victorious over the four quarters, one who had established a stable country, endowed with the seven jewels. Gold, silver, pearls, jewels, lapis lazuli, diamonds, and coral.⁰³

This Kusinàrà, was then named Kusàvatã, and was King Mahàsudassana's capital city. Stretching for twelve leagues from East to West, and seven leagues from North to South, the capital city Kusàvatã was prosperous, ânanda, successful, populous, full of people, with much food, just as, ânanda, the capital city of the Divinities named âëakamandà is prosperous, successful, populous, full of people, with much food, so the capital city Kusàvatã was prosperous, ânanda, successful, populous, full of people, with much food.

The capital city Kusàvatã was never separated from the ten sounds, by day or by night, that is to say: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of chariots, the sound of drums, the sound of tabours, the sound of lutes, the sound of songs, the sound of cymbals, the sound of hand bells, (and with) `eat, drink, chew!' as the tenth sound.