大唐西域記 10.27

10.27

城南不遠有故伽藍，傍有窣堵波，無憂王之所建也。昔者，如來曾於此處現大神通，摧伏外道。後龍猛菩薩止此伽藍，時此國王號娑多婆訶（唐言引正）。珍敬龍猛，周衛門廬。時提婆菩薩自執師子國來求論義，謂門者曰：「幸為通謁。」時門者遂為白。龍猛雅知其名，盛滿鉢水，命弟子曰：「汝持是水，示彼提婆。」提婆見水，默而投針。弟子持鉢，懷疑而返。龍猛曰：「彼何辭乎？」對曰：「默無所說，但投針於水而已。」龍猛曰：「智矣哉，若人也！知幾其神，察微亞聖，盛德若此，宜速命入。」對曰：「何謂也？無言妙辯，斯之是歟？」曰：「夫水也者，隨器方圓，逐物清濁，彌漫無間，澄湛莫測。滿而示之，比我學之智周也；彼乃投針，遂窮其極。此非常人，宜速召進。」而龍猛風範懍然肅物，言談者皆伏抑首。提婆素挹風徽，久希請益，方欲受業，先騁機神，雅懼威嚴，昇堂僻坐，談玄永日，辭義清高。龍猛曰：「後學冠世，妙辯光前，我惟衰耄，遇斯俊彥，誠乃寫瓶有寄，傳燈不絕，法教弘揚，伊人是賴。幸能前席，雅談玄奧。」提婆聞命，心獨自負，將開義府，先遊辯囿，提振辭端，仰視質義。忽覩威顏，忘言杜口，避坐引責，遂請受業。龍猛曰：「復坐，今將授子至真妙理，法王誠教。」提婆五體投地，一心歸命，曰：「而今而後，敢聞命矣。」

At this time Ti-p'o (Deva) Bodhisattva coming from the country of Chi-sse-tseu (Ceylon), sought to hold a discussion with him. Addressing the gate-keeper he said, " Be good enough to announce me." Accordingly the gate-keeper entered and told Nagarjuna. He, recognising his reputation, filled up a patra with water and commanded his disciple to hold the water before this Deva. Deva, seeing the water, was silent, and dropped a needle into it. The disciple held the patra, and with some anxiety and doubt returned to Nagarjuna. " What did he say," he asked. The disciple replied, " He was silent and said nothing ; he only dropped a needle into the water." Nagarjuna said, " What wisdom ! Who like this man ! To know the springs of action (motives), this is the privilege of a god ! to penetrate subtle principles is the privilege of an inferior saint. Such full wisdom as this entitles him to be allowed to enter forthwith." He (the disciple) replied, " What a saying is this ! is this then the sublime eloquence (skill) of silence ? "

"This water," he (Nagarjuna) went on to say, "is shaped according to the form of the vessel that holds it ; it is pure or dirty according to the character of things (in it); it fills up every interstice; in point of clearness and comprehensiveness he, on beholding the water, compared it to the wisdom which I have acquired by study. Dropping into it a needle, he pierced it, as it were, to the bottom. Show this extraordinary man in here at once, and let him be presented." Now the manner and appearance of Nagarjuna were imposing, and inspired all with respect. In discussion all were awed by it, and submitted (bowed the head). Deva being aware of his excellent characteristics, had long desired to consult him, and he wished to become his disciple. But now as he approached he felt troubled in mind, and he was abashed and timid. Mounting the hall, he sat down awkwardly and talked darkly; but at the end of the day his words were clear and lofty. Nagarjuna said, "Your learning exceeds that of the world and your fine distinctions shine brighter than the former (teachers). I am but an old and infirm man; but having met with one so learned and distinguished, surely it is for the purpose of spreading the truth and for transmitting without interruption the torch of the law, and propagating the teaching of religion. Truly this is one who may sit on the upper seat to expound dark sayings and discourse with precision."

Deva hearing these words, his heart conceived a degree of self-confidence, and being about to open the storehouse of wisdom, he first began to roam through the garden of dialectic and handle fine sentences; then having looked up for some indication of approval (confirmation of his argument), he encountered the imposing look of the master; his words escaped him; his mouth was closed; and leaving his seat, he made some excuse, and asked to be instructed. Nagarjuna said, "Sit down again; I will communicate to you the truest and most profound principles which the king of the law himself verily handed down (taught for transmission)" Deva then prostrated himself on the ground, and adored with all his heart, and said, "Both now and for ever I will dare to listen to your instructions."