中天竺舍衛國祇洹寺圖經 1.14

1.14

The southern face has three gates. The central great gate has five bays and three tiers, with high pavilions dazzling the eye, built by Prince Jeta. These three tiers represent the three gates of emptiness, clarifying the three emptinesses in the Buddha's Dharma. Because one initially enters the Buddha's principle taking the robe as the foundational school, three tiers were erected to represent the three emptinesses. Outside the gate, across the canal water, flying bridges span northward, also in five paths, their marvelous carvings and adornments being truly non-human. The eastern and western two gates, having three tiers as above, both have three bays. Outside the gates are flying bridges, with three paths extending inward. Outside, there are forest trees, cleanly encircling all around, and reaching up to three sides, flowering trees connect. Those who see it give rise to a deep heart of veneration. Entering the great central gate, to the left and right are compound lanes, their gates directly opposite one another, with waters and trees intertwining.