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Gautam Buddha’s Ashes: The Fascinating History of Their Division and Global Journey
Gautam Buddha’s Ashes : The passing of Gautam Buddha around 483 BCE in Kushinagar did not mark the end of his influence. Rather, it signified the beginning of a sacred and historical journey that would carry his legacy across Asia and the world. After attaining Mahaparinirvana (final liberation), Buddha’s body was cremated in the traditional Indian way, and his ashes (śarīra) became more than just physical remains—they became powerful symbols of peace, enlightenment, and unity.
The End of a Journey, The Beginning of a Legacy
But what happened to those ashes? How were they divided among kingdoms? And how did they contribute to the global spread of Buddhism? The answers lie in a fascinating mix of history, religion, diplomacy, and devotion.
The Death of the Buddha and His Cremation
After preaching the Dhamma for over 45 years, Siddhartha Gautama, the Enlightened One, passed away at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India. His final words were:
“All conditioned things are subject to decay. Strive diligently for your liberation.”
His body was prepared for cremation by the Mallas of Kushinagar, the local ruling clan. According to the ancient Buddhist text Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the cremation was conducted with great reverence. The remains after the cremation—bones, teeth, ashes, and fragments—were considered holy relics (śarīrika dhātu).
Demand for the Relics: Spiritual Reverence Meets Political Diplomacy
Word of Buddha’s death spread quickly. As his teachings had touched countless lives, many rulers and clans claimed rights to the relics, believing that enshrining them would bring spiritual merit, prosperity, and prestige to their kingdoms.
The claimants included:
| Claimant | Region | Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Ajatashatru | Magadha | Patron of Buddha during his lifetime |
| Licchavis | Vaishali | Prominent republic and supporters of Buddhism |
| Sakyas | Kapilavastu | Buddha’s own clan |
| Koliyas | Ramagrama | Maternal relatives of the Buddha |
| Bulis | Allakappa | Lesser-known tribe with devotion to Buddha |
| Mallas | Pava and Kushinagar | Buddha died in Kushinagar |
| Vethadipa Brahmins | Vethadipa | Revered Buddha as a spiritual teacher |
| Brahmin Dona (Drona) | – | Mediator in relic distribution |
Tensions escalated. The Mallas of Kushinagar, who had performed the cremation rites, initially refused to share the ashes, arguing their claim was strongest. Other powerful kingdoms were on the verge of war.
The Role of Brahmin Dona: Dividing the Ashes Peacefully
To avoid bloodshed over the remains of a messenger of non-violence, a respected Brahmin named Dona (sometimes called Drona) proposed a wise and peaceful solution. He mediated the conflict and suggested dividing the relics into eight equal portions among the claimants.
This solution was accepted, and each group received a share of the sacred ashes. Dona himself kept the urn used to divide the relics and later built a ninth stupa over it.
The First Eight Stupas: Foundations of Buddhist Pilgrimage
The eight original stupas (mounds or reliquaries) were erected in the following locations:
- Rajagriha (Magadha) – Kingdom of Ajatashatru
- Vaishali – Capital of the Licchavis
- Kapilavastu – Homeland of the Sakyas
- Ramagrama – Home of the Koliyas
- Allakappa – Territory of the Bulis
- Pava – Mallas’ secondary capital
- Kushinagar – Site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana
- Vethadipa – Brahmins of Vethadipa
- Dona’s Stupa – Where the urn was enshrined
These stupas became the earliest Buddhist pilgrimage centers, marking the sacred geography of Buddha’s final moments and the reverence his relics inspired.
Ashoka the Great: The Global Spread of Buddha’s Relics
The story doesn’t end there. Nearly two centuries later, Emperor Ashoka the Great (268–232 BCE) of the Maurya Dynasty, who converted to Buddhism after the bloody Kalinga War, played a historic role in the further dissemination of the relics.
According to Buddhist chronicles like the Ashokavadana and Divyavadana:
- Ashoka opened seven of the original stupas
- Collected the relics
- Divided them again
- Built and distributed them among 84,000 stupas across his vast empire
Ashoka’s mission was not just religious—it was strategic. By spreading the relics, he strengthened Buddhism across regions, promoted moral governance, and unified his empire under a common spiritual message.
Modern Rediscovery and Legacy of the Sacred Relics
In the 19th and 20th centuries, British and Indian archaeologists rediscovered many of these ancient relic sites. Some relics were excavated and placed in museums like:
- Sanchi Stupa (Madhya Pradesh)
- Bharhut and Amaravati sites
- National Museum, New Delhi
India has also gifted some relics to Buddhist-majority countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia, enhancing diplomatic and religious ties.
Today, relics of the Buddha continue to be venerated in shrines and stupas worldwide, including:
- Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
- Tooth Relic Temple, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Thailand
- Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai, India
These sites attract millions of pilgrims each year and stand as living symbols of Buddha’s presence.
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Conclusion: A Timeless Legacy in Sacred Ashes
The story of how Gautam Buddha’s ashes were divided is more than a historical footnote. It reflects humanity’s deep yearning for spiritual connection, peace, and unity. What could have ended in conflict was transformed—through wisdom and compassion—into a legacy that has shaped the spiritual landscape of Asia and beyond.
From the eight original stupas to Ashoka’s 84,000, from Kushinagar to Kandy, the relics of the Buddha remind us that even in death, a great soul continues to guide the world.
