大唐西域記 1.18

1.18

夫人有剛柔異性，言音不同，斯則繫風土之氣，亦習俗之致也。若其山川物產之異，風俗性類之差，則人主之地，國史詳焉；馬主之俗，寶主之鄉，史誥備載，可略言矣。至於象主之國，前古未詳，或書地多暑濕，或載俗好仁慈，頗存方志，莫能詳舉，豈道有行藏之致，固世有推移之運矣。是知候律以歸化，飲澤而來賓，越重險而款玉門，貢方奇而拜絳闕者，蓋難得而言焉。由是之故，訪道遠遊，請益之隙，存記風土。黑嶺已來。莫非胡俗。雖戎人同貫，而族類群分，畫界封疆，大率土著。建城郭，務殖田畜；性重財賄，俗輕仁義；嫁娶無禮，尊卑無次；婦言是用，男位居下。死則焚骸，喪期無數；釐面截耳，斷髮裂裳，屠殺群畜，祀祭幽魂。吉乃素服，凶則皂衣。同風類俗，略舉條貫；異政殊制，隨地別敘。印度風俗，語在後記。

whether it be that the roads are difficult of access, or on account of the revolutions which have occurred, such is the case. In this way we see at least that the people only await instruction to be brought to submission, and when they have received benefit they will enjoy the blessing of civilization (pay homage). How difficult to recount the list of those who, coming from far, after encountering the greatest perils (difficulties), knock at the gem-gate with the choice tribute of their country and pay their reverence to the emperor! Wherefore, after he (Hiuen Tsiang) had travelled afar in search of the law, in his moments of leisure he has preserved these records of the character of the lands (visited). After leaving the black ridge, the manners of the people are savage (barbarous). Although the barbarous tribes are intermixed one with the other, yet the different races are distinguishable, and their territories have well-defined boundaries. Generally speaking, as the land suits, they build walled towns and devote themselves to agriculture and raising cattle. They naturally hoard wealth and hold virtue and justice in light esteem. They have no marriage decorum, and no distinction of high or low. The women say, "I consent to use you as a husband and live in submission, (and that is all)!" When dead, they burn the body, and there is no determined period for mourning. They scar their faces and cut their ears. They crop their hair and tear their clothes.

Now Buddha having been born in the western region and his religion having spread eastwards, the sounds of the words translated have been often mistaken, the phrases of the different regions have been misunderstood on account of the wrong sounds, and thus the sense has been lost. The words being wrong, the idea has been perverted. Therefore, as it is said, "it is indispensable to have the right names, in order that there be no mistakes." Now, men differ according to the firmness or of their nature, and so the words and the sounds (of their languages) are unlike. This may be the result either of climate or usage. The produce of the soil differs in the same way, according to the mountains and valleys. With respect to the difference in manners and customs, and also as to the character of the people in the country of "the lord of men," the annals sufficiently explain this. In the country of "the lord of horses" and of "the lord of treasures" the (local) records and the proclamations explain the customs faithfully, so that a brief account can be given of them. In the country of "the lord of elephants" the previous history of the people is little known. The country is said to be in general wet and warm, and it is also said that the people are virtuous and benevolent. With respect to the history of the country, so far as it has been preserved, we cannot cite it in detail;

They slay their herds and offer them in sacrifice to the manes of the dead. When rejoicing, they wear white garments; when in mourning, they clothe themselves in black. Thus we have described briefly points of agreement in the manners and customs of these people. The differences of administration depend on the different countries. With respect to the customs of India, they are contained in the following records. Leaving the old country of Kau-chang, from this neighbourhood there begins what is called the 'O-ki-ni country.