2.52. The Buddha’s Whereabouts after Parinirvana (T1670B2.52)

The king asked Nāgasena again, “Is there nirvana?”

Nāgasena replied, “Yes, there is nirvana.”

“Can you, Nāgasena, point out where the Buddha is?”

“No, I cannot point out where the Buddha is since the Buddha has already attained parinirvana. It is impossible to show where the Buddha is.”

Then Nāgasena gave a simile, “Suppose a man has lit a fire. When the fire has been extinguished, can anyone point out where the fire has gone?”

“No one can,” said the king.

Nāgasena said, “The Buddha has attained parinirvana and it cannot be pointed out where the Buddha has gone.”

“Excellent, Nāgasena.”

Nāgasena Bhikṣu Sūtra, translated by Venerable Guang Xing. Buddha’s Light Edition English Sutra Translation Series, 2008. This publication is part of translation program of the Woodenfish Project.

The full text, with detailed notes, textual and historical discussion, and comparison between Pali and Chinese texts, is available for download in two separate files, Translation and Notes.

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Used with kind permission of Buddha’s Light Publishing.

This SuttaCentral edition was prepared by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.