大唐西域記 10.21

10.21

國東南境臨大海濱，有折利呾羅城（唐言發行）。周二十餘里，入海商人、遠方旅客，往來中止之路也。其城堅峻，多諸奇寶。城外鱗次有五伽藍，臺閣崇高，尊像工麗。南去僧伽羅國二萬餘里，靜夜遙望，見彼國佛牙窣堵波上寶珠光明。離然如明炬之懸燭也。自此西南大林中行千二百餘里，至恭御陀國（東印度境）。

This country is 7000 li or so in circuit; the capital city is about 20 li round. The soil is rich and fertile, and it produces abundance of grain, and every kind of fruit is grown more than in other countries. It would be difficult to name the strange shrubs and the famed flowers that grow here. The climate is hot; the people are uncivilised, tall of stature, and of a yellowish black complexion. Their words and language (pronunciation) differ from Central India. They love learning and apply themselves to it without intermission. Most of them believe in the law of Buddha. There are some hundred sanghārāmas, with 10,000 priests. They all study the Great Vehicle. There are fifty Deva temples in which sectaries of all sorts make their abodes. The stūpas, to the number of ten or so, point out spots where Buddha preached. They were all founded by Asoka-raja.
In a great mountain on the south-west frontiers of the country is a sangharama called Pushpagiri (Pu-se-po-k'i-li) ; the stone stupa belonging to it exhibits very many spiritual wonders (miracles). On fast-days it emits a bright light. For this cause believers from far and near flock together here and present as offerings beautifully embroidered (flower) canopies (umbrellas) ; they place these underneath the vase at the top of the cupola, and let them stand there fixed as needles in the stone. To the north-west of this, in a convent on the mountain, is a stupa where the same wonders occur as in the former case. These two stupas were built by the demons, and hence are derived the extraordinary miracles.
On the south-east frontiers of the country, on the borders of the ocean, is the town Charitra (Che-li-ta-lo), about 20 li round. Here it is merchants depart for distant countries, and strangers come and go and stop here on their way. The walls of the city are strong and lofty. Here are found all sorts of rare and precious articles.
Outside the city there are five convents one after the other; their storeyed towers are very high, and carved with figures of saints exquisitely done.
Going south 20,000 li or so is the country of Simhala (Seng-kia-lo). In the still night, looking far off, we see the surmounting precious stone of the tooth-stupa of Buddha brilliantly shining and scintillating as a bright torch burning in the air.
From this going south-west about 1200 li through great forests, we come to the kingdom of Kong-u-t'o (Konyodha).