The Buddha’s Final Nibbana
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end, and claps of thunder rent the sky. And the Blessed One, understanding the significance of this, immediately breathed a sigh:
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‘Balancing* the incomparable against existence, the sage gave up the force of becoming: Concentrated deep within, he rent his own existence like a coat of mail.’ And Ānanda thought, ‘This is remarkable, this is extraordinary— the earth quaked, the earth quaked violently, frightening, making my hairs stand on end, and claps of thunder rent the sky! What is the cause, what is the reason for the occurrence of this earthquake?’ Then the venerable Ānanda went to the Blessed One, saluted him, and then sat down to one side. Once seated, he spoke to the Blessed One: ‘This is remarkable, this is extraordinary — the earth quaked, the earth quaked violently, frightening, making my hairs stand on end, and claps of thunder rent the sky! What is the cause, what is the reason for the occurrence of this earthquake?’ ‘There are these eight causes of and reasons for the occurrence of earthquakes. Which eight? This great earth rests on water, the water on wind, and the wind on space. At times the great winds blow; when they disturb the water, the disturbed water disturbs the earth. This is the first reason and cause. Again, when an ascetic or brahman who has abilities and has gained the mastery of the mind, or when a god of great accomplishment and power has cultivated the notion of earth as insignificant and of water as immeasurable, then he disturbs the earth, shaking it, causing it to shudder, and quake. This is the second reason and cause. Again, when one who is intent on awakening falls from the company of the Contented Gods and mindfully and fully aware descends into his mother’s womb, then the earth is disturbed, it shakes, shudders, and quakes. This is the third reason and cause. Again, when one who is intent on awakening mindfully and with full awareness leaves his mother’s womb, then the earth is disturbed, it shakes, shudders, and quakes. This is the fourth reason and cause. Again, when the Tathāgata awakens to the unsurpassed complete awakening, then the earth is disturbed, it shakes, shudders, and quakes. This is the fifth reason and cause. Again, when the Tathāgata turns the unsurpassed wheel of Truth, then the earth is disturbed, it shakes, shudders, and quakes. This is
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