佛祖歷代通載 4.142

4.142

(25. Jisi [69 CE]) An edict was issued ordering that the precious image of Śākya be installed and worshipped at the Xianjieling tomb and the Qingliang Terrace. West of the city wall, outside Yong Gate, the emperor established a monastery for Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna to reside in. Because it was brought on a white horse laden with the sūtras, it was accordingly named White Horse Monastery. Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna first translated the Sūtra of Forty-two Sections. When the emperor visited the monastery, Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna came forward and asked: 'What is that mound to the east of the monastery?' The emperor said: 'Long ago, a mound arose without cause; when leveled, it rose again. At night, strange lights appear. The people call it the Sacred Mound and sacrifice to it, suspecting it to be the god of Luoyang.' Mātaṅga said: 'According to what is recorded in the Golden Repository Exposition of India, King Aśoka enshrined the relics of the Tathāgata across the realm in eighty-four thousand places. At present, within the territory of Zhina-Cīnasthāna, there are nineteen such places, and this is one of them.' The emperor was greatly astonished, and on that very day went to the Sacred Mound. Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna accompanied him and prostrated. Suddenly, a round halo appeared over the mound, and the three bodies manifested within the light. The royal guards shouted 'Ten thousand years!' Overjoyed, the emperor said: 'Had I not met the two Mahāsattvas, how would I have known of the supreme sage's bequeathed blessing?' He ordered a stūpa built upon it, following the specifications of Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna. The stūpa was completed with nine storeys, two hundred feet high. The following year, the light manifested again, and a golden hand emerged about a foot above the top of the stūpa, seen as if through lapis lazuli; heavenly incense wafted fragrantly. The emperor processed to the site to prostrate and gaze upon it. The light circumambulated with each of his steps, vanishing only between the hours of noon and late afternoon.