中天竺舍衛國祇洹寺圖經 1.49

1.49

中院南門面對端門，亦有七重，橫列七門，櫛枇高敞，以表七覺意也。言意此中院唯佛獨居，不與僧共，分有擇法，故佛覺知，常為弟子說令明了覺，故名佛門七表烏。入門不遠，有大方池。池中蓮華，四時遍滿，四色殊絕，香氣芬郁，駿烈未開。池南有九大金鑊。下施足跡，周外怪獸，填突羅烈，合沓勇猛，相狀紛綸。鑊內外中，諸奇花葉，紛披重香，光色相暉。熟視目亂，不敢久住。方池正北有大佛塔，高下七層，狀麗宏異。純以異石，次玉相狀，重曾異態不可名目。上有殊盤，金鈴無數，微風常動，清響和徹。塔下有迦葉佛爪髮舍利，當時備說骨相及述迷忘，故不具論。塔傍左右立二鐘臺。左邊是他化天王第三子名無畏所造。鐘及臺並頗梨所成。右邊是兜率天王所造。鐘及臺並金銀所成。二鐘各受五十斛，不常鳴。每至十方諸佛集始鳴，聲聞百間百億世界。

The south gate of the central courtyard directly faces the main portal; it also has seven stories, horizontally arranging seven gates, set close together, lofty and spacious, symbolizing the seven factors of awakening. The intended meaning is that this central courtyard is for the Buddha alone to dwell in and is not shared with the saṅgha; having the factor of discernment of dharmas, the Buddha awakened to them, and always explained them so his disciples would clearly understand and awaken, hence it is called the Buddha's Gate of the Seven Signs. Not far after entering the gate, there is a large square pond. Lotus flowers in the pond fill it throughout the four seasons, their four colors extraordinary, their fragrance sweet and lush, fiercely intense before blooming. South of the pond are nine large golden caldrons. Beneath them are placed footprints, and around their exteriors are strange beasts, crowded and fierce, massed and valiant, in variegated forms. Inside, outside, and within the cauldrons, various rare flowers and leaves are strewn about with layered fragrances, their colors and radiances shining on one another. Staring closely at them dazzles the eyes, so that one dares not linger long. Due north of the square pond is a great Buddha stūpa, seven stories in height, magnificent and extraordinarily rare in appearance. It is constructed entirely of rare stones, resembling second-grade jade, with tiered and unusual forms that cannot be named. Above, it has distinct discs and countless golden bells; constantly stirred by gentle breezes, their clear sound is harmonious and penetrating. Beneath the stūpa are the nail and hair relics of Kāśyapa Buddha; at that time the physical marks were described in detail, but because of confusion and forgetfulness, they are not fully discussed. Flanking the stūpa on the left and right stand two bell towers. The one on the left was built by Nirbhaya, the third son of the devarāja of Paranirmitavaśavartin; the bell and the tower are both made of crystal. The one on the right was built by the devarāja of Tuṣita; the bell and the tower are both made of gold and silver. Each of the two bells holds fifty hu and does not ring constantly. Only whenever the Buddhas of the ten directions assemble do they begin to ring, their sound heard throughout a hundred bays of a thousand million worlds.