大唐西域記 10.39

10.39

城南不遠有大山巖，婆毘吠伽（唐言清辯）論師住阿素洛宮待見慈氏菩薩成佛之處。論師雅量弘遠，至德深邃，外示僧佉之服，內弘龍猛之學。聞摩揭陀國護法菩薩宣揚法教，學徒數千，有懷談議，杖錫而往。至波吒釐城，知護法菩薩在菩提樹，論師乃命門人曰：「汝行詣菩提樹護法菩薩所，如我辭曰：『菩薩宣揚遺教，導誘迷徒，仰德虛心，為日已久。然以宿願未果，遂乖禮謁。菩提樹者，誓不空見，見當有證，稱天人師。』」護法菩薩謂其使曰：「人世如幻，身命若浮，渴日勤誠，未遑談議。」人信往復，竟不會見。論師既還本土，靜而思曰：「非慈氏成佛，誰決我疑？」於觀自在菩薩像前誦《隨心陀羅尼》，絕粒飲水，時歷三歲。觀自在菩薩乃現妙色身，謂論師曰：「何所志乎？」對曰：「願留此身，待見慈氏。」觀自在菩薩曰：「人命危脆，世間浮幻，宜修勝善願，生覩史多天，於斯禮覲，尚速待見。」論師曰：「志不可奪，心不可貳。」菩薩曰：「若然者，宜往馱那羯磔迦國城南山巖執金剛神所，至誠誦持《執金剛陀羅尼》者，當遂此願。」論師於是往而誦焉。三歲之後，神乃謂曰：「伊何所願，若此勤勵？」論師曰：「願留此身，待見慈氏。觀自在菩薩指遣來請，成我願者，其在神乎？」神乃授祕方，而謂之曰：「此巖石內有阿素洛宮，如法行請，石壁當開，開即入中，可以待見。」論師曰：「幽居無覩，詎知佛興？」執金剛曰：「慈氏出世，我當相報。」論師受命，專精誦持，復歷三歲，初無異想，呪芥子以擊石，巖壁豁而洞開。是時百千萬眾觀覩忘返，論師跨其戶而告眾曰：「吾久祈請，待見慈氏，聖靈警祐，大願斯遂，宜可入此，同見佛興。」聞者怖駭，莫敢履戶，謂是毒蛇之窟，恐喪身命。再三告語，唯有六人從入。論師顧謝時眾，從容而入，入之既已，石壁還合，眾皆怨嗟，恨前言之過也。自此西南行千餘里，至珠利耶國（南印度境）。

To the south of the city a little way is a great mountain cavern. It is here the master of śāstras P'o-pi-fei-kia (Bhāvaviveka) remains in the palace of the Asuras ('O-ssu-lo), awaiting the arrival of Maitreya Bodhisattva as perfect Buddha. This master of śāstras was widely renowned for his elegant scholarship and for the depth of his vast attainments (virtue). Externally he was a disciple of Kapila (Sāṅkhya), but inwardly he was fully possessed of the learning of Nāgārjuna. Having heard that Dharmapāla (Hu-fa-p'u-sa) of Magadha was spreading abroad the teaching of the law, and was making many thousand disciples, he desired to discuss with him. He took his religious staff in hand and went. Coming to Pāṭaliputra (Po-ch'a-li) he ascertained that Dharmapāla Bodhisattva was dwelling at the Bodhi tree. Then the master of śāstras ordered his disciples thus: "Go you to the place where Dharmapāla resides near the Bodhi tree, and say to him in my name, 'Bodhisattva (i.e., Dharmapāla) publishes abroad the doctrine (of Buddha) bequeathed to the world: he leads and directs the ignorant. His followers look up to him with respect and humility, and so it has been for many days; nevertheless his vow and past determination have borne no fruit! Vain is it to worship and visit the Bôdhi tree. Swear to accomplish your object, and then you will be in the end guide of gods and men.'"

Dharmapala Bodhisattva answered the messenger thus: "The lives of men (or, generations of men) are like a phantom; the body is as a bubble. The whole day I exert myself; I have no time for controversy; you may therefore depart — there can be no meeting." The master of śāstras having returned to his own country, led a pure (quiet) life and reflected thus: "In the absence of Maitreya as a Buddha, who is there that can satisfy my doubts?" Then in front of the figure of the Bodhisattva Kwan-tsz'-tsai, he recited in order the Sin-to'-lo-ni (Hṛidaya-dhāraṇī), abstaining from food and drink. After three years Kwan-tsz'-tsai Bodhisattva appeared to him with a very beautiful body, and addressed the master of śāstras thus : "What is your purpose (will)?" He said, "May I keep my body till Maitreya comes." Kwan-tsz'-tsai Bodhisattva said, "Man's life is subject to many accidents. The world is as a bubble or a phantom. You should aim at the highest resolve to be born in the Tushita heaven, and there, even now, to see him face to face and worship." The master of śāstras said, "My purpose is fixed; my mind cannot be changed." Bodhisattva said, "If it is so, you must go to the country of Dhanakaṭaka, to the south of the city, where in a mountain cavern a diamond-holding (Vajrapāṇi) spirit dwells, and there with the utmost sincerity reciting the Chi-hing-kang-t'o-lo-ni (Vajrapāṇidhāraṇī), you ought to obtain your wish."

On this the master of śāstras went and recited (the dhāraṇī). After three years the spirit said to him, "What is your desire, exhibiting such earnest diligence?" The master of śāstras said, "I desire that my body may endure till Maitreya comes, and Avalôkitêśvara Bodhisattva directed me to come here to request the fulfilment (of my desire). Does this rest with you, divine being?"

The spirit then revealed to him a formula and said, "There is an Asura's palace in this mountain; if you ask according to the rule given you, the walls will open, and then you may enter and wait there till you see (Maitreya)." "But," said the master of śāstras, "dwelling in the dark, how shall I be able to see or know when the Buddha appears?" Vajrapani said, "When Maitreya comes into the world, I will then advertise you of it." The master of sastras having received his instructions, applied himself with earnestness to repeat the sentences, and for three years, without any change of mind, he repeated the words to a nicety (mustard-seed). Then knocking at the rock-cavern, it opened out its deep and vast recesses. Then an innumerable multitude appeared before him looking about them, but forgetful of the way to return. The master of sastras passed through the door, and addressing the multitude said, "Long have I prayed and worshipped with a view to obtain an opportunity to see Maitreya. Now, thanks to the aid of a spiritual being, my vow is accomplished. Let us therefore enter here, and together await the revelation of this Buddha."

Those who heard this were stupified, and dared not pass the threshold. They said, "This is a den of serpents; we shall all be killed." Thrice he addressed them, and then only six persons were content to enter with him. The master of sastras turning himself and advancing, then all the multitude followed him with their gaze as he entered. After doing so the stone walls closed behind them, and then those left without chided themselves for neglecting his words addressed to them. From this going south-west 1000 li or so, we come to the kingdom of Chu-li-ye (Chulya).