Buddha sets example of untainted love; obliges his follower by eating poisonous meal! (In Pics)

The Holy Buddha will be showcasing in the coming episode what it means to love and accept love from others even at the cost of one’s life!

In this Sunday’s episode of the series, we will see Ajatshatru requesting Buddha to serve him till the time of his Mahaparinirvan. But Buddha will advise him to return back to his country and serve them instead with righteousness and teach his subjects Dharma.

Chand, another devoted follower of Buddha, will express gratitude to the Enlightened Master for visiting his place. Chand will make a polite request to Buddha to give a sermon on ‘how to lead a good life’.

Buddha, in his sermon, tells all that the source of true happiness is living freely and with ease and fully experiencing the wonders of life. Buddha says happiness is being aware of what is going on in the present and being free from clinging and aversion.

He further enlightens his follower by revealing that living in the present is the most intelligent way of living to foster happiness for the present and the future. He tells everyone not to be so occupied with one’s work that it prevents happiness for oneself and for one’s loved ones in the present moment. Happiness is foremost. He says that true happiness does not depend on wealth or fame.

Then after, Chand treats Buddha to a nice meal. He brings Sukarmadhav (mushroom delicacy) for Buddha and insists him to have it. Buddha refuses initially but agrees to taste it for Chand’s sake. The moment after Buddha takes a bite of the dish, lightning and thunder occurs in the sky, thereby, signaling a bad omen.

Buddha asks Chand to bury the Sukarmadhav dish somewhere so that no one eats it. Listening to Buddha’s counsel, Chand realizes that the dish was not fit for consumption.

Buddha takes leave from Chand and moves on with his followers. He starts feeling uneasy and vomits. He gets unwell with severe stomach ache and asks his followers to rest with him for some time.
He tells Anand that he had the last meal of his life at Chand’s house and hints at his Mahaparinirvan. He also asks Anand not to allow anyone blame Chand for his uneasiness.

After resting for a while Buddha will visit the Sal Van (forest) in Kushinagar and will get besotted with its beauty. He will lie down in the shade of two Sal trees with his head facing the east.

A dejected Anirudh will inform all the fellow disciples about Buddha’s decision to leave his mortal frame very soon.

Buddha gets into his famous reclined posture and praises Anand for looking after him all his life. He asks him to take up more responsibilities after the Mahaparinirvan.

Buddha gives sermon to all the disciples and he speaks about the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Everyone listens to Buddha’s discourse attentively as though transfixed.

Later, Buddha will ask Anirudh to inform Malla Raja about his Mahaparinirvan so that he does not feel bad for not getting a chance to see him in the end.