景德傳燈錄 2.17

2.17

The eighteenth patriarch was Gayāśata, a native of the country of Madra. His surname was Udra. His father was Tiangai, and his mother was Fangsheng. She once dreamed of a great spirit holding a mirror, through which she became pregnant. After seven days she gave birth. His skin and flesh were glistening like lapis lazuli; without ever being bathed, he was naturally fragrant and clean. In childhood he was fond of seclusion and quietude, and his speech was unlike that of ordinary children. Holding a mirror, he went out on an excursion and met Venerable [Saṃgha]nandi, from whom he attained deliverance. Leading his disciples, he arrived in the realm of the Great Yuezhi, where he saw a Brahmin house with an unusual aura. When the Venerable One was about to enter that house, the householder Kumāralata asked, 'What assembly of disciples is this?' He replied, 'Disciples of the Buddha.' Hearing the name of the Buddha, [Kumāralata's] mind was startled and awed, and he at once shut the door. After a long while, the Venerable One knocked on the door himself. [Kumāra]lata said, 'There is no one in this house.' The Venerable One said, 'Who is it that answers "none"?' Hearing these words, [Kumāra]lata knew he was an extraordinary person, and quickly opened the latch to welcome him. The Venerable One said: 'Formerly the World-Honoured One predicted: "One thousand years after my extinction, there will be a great being who appears in the country of Yuezhi to carry forward the profound teaching." Now you have met me, matching this auspicious occasion.' Thereupon Kumāralata gave rise to the knowledge of past lives, surrendered his sincere faith, left household life, and received the full precepts, after which [the Venerable One] transmitted the Dharma to him with a gāthā, saying: