[Buddha-l] yogic fire

[L.S. Cousins]

Joanna,

I think this version is from the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hsien. The story 
is not found in the Pali Canon, but a similar account is given in the 
Pali Dhammapada commentary (Dhp-a II 100):
Aananda knew that his life-span was coming to an end and announced 
that he would enter parinibbaana in seven days. Inhabitants on the 
two banks of the river Rohin.ii asked him to do so among them. Both 
had been his supporters and he feared a quarrel over his relics. So 
he assembled them on the two banks. When the time came, he seated 
himself in the air above the river and announced that his body would 
divide into two parts. He then made a resolve for that to happen and 
entered meditation on the fire element. Flames arose and his body 
split into two, alighting on each bank. The multitude lamented.

Lance Cousins

>This story appeared on another list. I'm wondering if it is indeed 
>in the Pali canon, and if so where?
>Joanna
>=============================================
>
>I don't have the references to the Pali canon on hand, but there is 
>a story that Ananda, the Buddha's attendent, immolated himself after 
>entering samadhi in the middle of a river.  He did this to prevent 
>conflict between the King of Magadha (Ajatasatru) and the Licchavi 
>nobles of Vaisali over his relics, which were distributed on either 
>side of the river.  Lamotte mentions the story in his History of 
>Indian Buddhism (227-228), but does not specifically mention that he 
>burned himself.
>
>Justin Fifield
>Asian Studies
>University of Texas at Austin