When he reached the age of 80, the Buddha considered his mission on earth accomplished. During the 45 years of his ministry he had converted thousands, including his own townsmen (below). Now he prepared for the end of his life and for entering into the state that was the ultimate goal of all his followers—nirvana (literally, "extinction”)-Achievement of nirvana, considered a complete release from all desires, meant that the believer would never have to be reborn into the world again.
The Buddha died, tradition has it, when he accepted from a pious layman a piece of pork—which he knew was spoiled but which he was too polite to refuse. He ate it, sickened and lay down in a park to die. As he performed his final meditations, he felt himself becoming free of all passions. Turning to his followers, he told them to remember that the things of the world were unreal and were subject to decay. With his last breath he commanded them: "Work out your own salvation with diligence."
ADDRESSING HIS TOWNSMEN (left), the Buddha is surrounded by the nobles of Kapila-vastu. During a visit to the town, the Buddha converted most of the citizens, including his wife and his son, who had been born just before the Buddha's departure.
A TOWERING STUPA, symbolizing the Buddha's death and his attainment of nirvana, receives the reverences of human and divine worshipers. While marching around the stupa, some men fold their hands in respect and others wave banners or proffer flowers.
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World History
