[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [大唐西域記](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087) › 1.23 # 大唐西域記 1.23 大唐西域記 1.23 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [1.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1.23) 國東境城北天祠前，有大龍池。諸龍易形，交合牝馬，遂生龍駒，𢤱戾難馭。龍駒之子，方乃馴駕，所以此國多出善馬。聞諸先志曰：近代有王，號曰金花，政教明察，感龍馭乘。王欲終沒，鞭觸其耳，因即潛隱，以至于今。城中無井，取彼池水。龍變為人，與諸婦會，生子驍勇，走及奔馬；如是漸染，人皆龍種，恃力作威，不恭王命。王乃引搆突厥，殺此城人，少長俱戮，略無噍類。城今荒蕪，人煙斷絕。 > From very early time till now there have been no wells in the town, so that the inhabitants have been accustomed to get water from the dragon lake. On these occasions the dragons, changing themselves into the likeness of men, had intercourse with the women. Their children, when born, were powerful and courageous, and swift of foot as the horse. Thus gradually corrupting themselves, the men all became of the dragon breed, and relying on their strength, they became rebellious and disobedient to the royal authority. Then the king, forming an alliance with the Tuh-kiueh (Turks), massacred the men of the city; young and old, all were destroyed, so that there was no remnant left; the city is now a waste and uninhabited. > — Samuel Beal 1884, Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World > There are about one hundred convents (saṅghārāmas) in this country, with five thousand and more disciples. These belong to the Little Vehicle of the school of the Sarvāstivādas (Shwo-yih-tsai-yu-po). Their doctrine (teaching of Sūtras) and their rules of discipline (principles of the Vinaya) are like those of India, and those who read them use the same (originals). They especially hold to the customs of the "gradual doctrine," and partake only of the three pure kinds of food. They live purely, and provoke others (by their conduct) to a religious life. To the north of a city on the eastern borders of the country, in front of a Deva temple, there is a great dragon-lake. The dragons, changing their form, couple with mares. The offspring is a wild species of horse (dragon-horse), difficult to tame and of a fierce nature. The breed of these dragon-horses became docile. This country consequently became famous for its many excellent horses. Former records (of this country) say : " In late times there was a king called 'Gold Flower,' who exhibited rare intelligence in the doctrines (of religion). He was able to yoke the dragons to his chariot. When the king wished to disappear, he touched the ears of the dragons with his whip, and forthwith he became invisible." > — Samuel Beal 1884, Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World - [Previous: 1.22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1.22) - [Next: 1.24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1.24) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1) ## Translations (1) - [Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087~en-beal.1.3.3) — Samuel Beal 1884, English ## Linked texts (1) - [法苑珠林](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.6.121) — 道世, Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.1.23) · Pramāṇa