佛說八大靈塔名號經

At that time the World-Honored One addressed the bhikṣus, saying: I shall now extol the names of the Eight Great Sacred Stūpas. Listen attentively, and for your sake I shall speak of them. What are the eight?

They are these:

The first is at the city of Kapilavastu, the place of the Birth in the Lumbinī Grove (Longdi'er).

The second is in the country of Magadha, beside the Nairañjanā River, beneath the Bodhi tree, the place where Buddhahood was attained.

The third is in the country of Kāśī, in the city of Vārāṇasī, the place where the Wheel of the Dharma was first turned.

The fourth is in the country of Śrāvastī, in the garden of Jeta, the place where the great spiritual powers were manifested.

The fifth is at the city of Kānyakubja, the place of the descent from the Heaven of the Thirty-Three (Trāyastriṃśa).

The sixth is at the city of Rājagṛha, where the Buddha distinguished the Śrāvakas and for their sake delivered them.

The seventh is at the city of Vaiśālī, the place of the Sacred Stūpa of Reflecting upon the Lifespan.

The eighth is at the city of Kuśinagara, within the Śāla grove, between the twin Śāla trees, the place of entry into Nirvāṇa.

Such are the Eight Great Sacred Stūpas. He also spoke a verse, saying:

In the country of Kāśī, in the city of Vārāṇasī,
He turned the great Wheel of the Dharma in twelve aspects;
In the city of Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove,
Throughout all three realms He manifested spiritual powers.

In the country of Sāṃkāśya, at the city of Kānyakubja,
He descended from the palace of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven;
In the city of Rājagṛha, where the Saṃgha was distinguished,
The Tathāgata graciously transformed and practiced compassion.

At the Sacred Stūpa in the city of Vaiśālī,
The place where the Tathāgata reflected upon His lifespan;
In the city of Kuśinagara, the land of great strength,
Between the Twin Śāla Trees He entered Nirvāṇa.

These then are the Eight Great Sacred Stūpas. If there be any brāhmaṇa, or virtuous son, or good daughter who gives rise to great faith, who cultivates and builds stūpas and shrines and serves them with offerings, this person shall obtain great benefit and great reward, shall be universally praised, their name heard everywhere, vast, deep, and great. Therefore, bhikṣus, you should also know this.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! If there be any good man or good woman of pure faith who is able to turn toward these Eight Great Stūpas and offer reverence with utmost sincerity, then when this person's life comes to an end, they shall be reborn in the heavenly realms.

At that time the World-Honored One again addressed the bhikṣus, saying: Listen attentively to what I now declare. In the city of the country of Yuzhi, while still in the world, He spoke a verse, saying:

At twenty-nine years of age, dwelling in the Royal Palace,
For six years upon the snowy mountains He practiced austerities;
For five years He delivered beings at the city of Rājagṛha,
For four years He dwelt in the Tīṣa forest.

At Śiyuna and at Gautamī's place,
At the precious stūpas, the high mountains, and the wilderness,
At the place of Vĩ Nỗ, of King Vela,
And with King Śuddhodana, all in the city of Kapila.

The Buddha has spoken the Sūtra of the Names of the Eight Great Sacred Stūpas.