中天竺舍衛國祇洹寺圖經 2.2

2.2

On the transformed walls of the multi-tiered hall, Śākyamuni Tathāgata personally drew the "Illustrations of the Eight Phases of Transformation." This drawing was made when the Buddha was nearing parinirvāṇa: the great image in the middle of the hall spontaneously spoke, requesting Śākyamuni, saying, "How should sentient beings of future generations depict your images?" Prompted by this question, the Buddha drew them for its sake.