The death of the Buddha is a highly significant moment, for in dying he attained nirvana and thus finally overcame the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
In this picture, many different beings are gathered around the Buddha's deathbed and react in various ways to his demise. The bodhisattvas, themselves far advanced on the path to ultimate insight, know that the Buddha has now achieved his goal. The monks and pupils of the Buddha mourn the passing of their teacher. The animals surrender completely to their grief over the loss of their sublime master.