佛祖歷代通載 3.19

3.19

(6) The sandalwood image was first established. In the eighth year after attaining awakening, the Bhagavān ascended to the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven to preach the Dharma for his mother, remaining there for ninety days. King Udayana of Kauśāmbī longed for the Tathāgata and ordered Mahāmaudgalyāyana and the deva Viśvakarman to transform themselves into artisans, ascend to the heavenly palace, copy the Buddha's physical marks, and carve an image out of sandalwood for veneration. When the summer retreat was completed, the Buddha descended to Central India. The king, his great ministers, and the people of the state went together to welcome the Buddha. The image soared into the air to greet the Buddha and inquire after him. The Buddha rubbed its head and conferred a prophecy on it, saying: 'More than a thousand years after my nirvāṇa, you will go to China and broadly benefit humans and devas.'