Illustrated and Augmented Record of the Search for the Supernatural

Volume 11

Page 6

Indeed, after preaching the Dharma The universal truth or teachings of the Buddha. and dwelling in the world for forty-nine years, the Buddha addressed his disciple Mahakasyapa original: "摩訶迦葉" (Móhē Jiāshè). One of the Buddha's principal disciples, renowned for his asceticism and recognized as the first patriarch of the Zen lineage., saying:

"I entrust to you the pure Eye of the True Dharma, the wondrous Mind of Nirvana The state of liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth., the formless reality, and the subtle and sublime True Dharma. You must protect and maintain it."

He further commanded Ananda The Buddha’s cousin and closest attendant, famous for memorizing all of the Buddha's sermons. to act as an assistant in spreading these teachings so that they would never be extinguished. He then spoke this gatha A short verse or hymn used in Buddhist texts.:

The Dharma is fundamentally a Dharma of no-Dharma,
Yet this no-Dharma is also a Dharma.
Now that I entrust this no-Dharma,
How can the Dharma ever have been a Dharma?
This verse expresses a core Zen paradox: the ultimate truth cannot be captured by words or fixed concepts; even the "teaching" is just a tool to be eventually let go.

When the World-Honored One had finished reciting this verse, he again spoke to Mahakasyapa: "I entrust to you the gold-threaded Sanghati robe original: "僧伽黎衣" (sēngjiālí yī). The formal outer patchwork robe worn by Buddhist monks.. You are to pass it on until the Buddha of the Future original: "慈世佛" (Císhì Fó). Referring to Maitreya, the next Buddha destined to appear in the world to renew the teachings. appears in this world. Do not allow it to decay or be destroyed."

Hearing this verse, Mahakasyapa bowed until his head touched the Buddha's feet and said, "Excellent, excellent! I shall obey your command with reverence."

At that time, the World-Honored One traveled to the city of Kushinagar The traditional site in India where the Buddha passed away. and informed the great assembly: "I have a pain in my back today and wish to enter Nirvana." He then proceeded to the banks of the Hiranyavati River and lay down beneath the Twin Sal Trees original: "娑羅雙樹" (Suōluó Shuāngshù). It is said that these trees turned white like cranes when the Buddha passed away between them..