"As all of life’s a tragedy
There’s no more point in choosing –
The greatest moments of our lives
We’ll all soon end up losing.”
Thus spake the Buddha, then he danced
Into the funeral pyre;
And all his devotees, entranced,
Watched him as he expired.
Then came a breeze to blow the flames
And ashes all away,
And Buddha danced within the wind;
Oh how his hips did sway!
And the devotees watched and laughed
’s he swung and did not tire,
And laughing still they then got up
And danced into the fire.
Maxime comments: I guess the format is my favourite one: a very square one, in all respects. But then again, Gâutama was quite a square person.