大唐西域記 12.37

12.37

王城南十餘里有大伽藍，此國先王為毘盧折那（唐言遍照）阿羅漢建也。昔者，此國佛法未被，而阿羅漢自迦濕彌羅國至此林中，宴坐習定。時有見者，駭其容服，具以其狀上白於王。王遂躬往，觀其容止，曰：「爾何人乎，獨在幽林？」羅漢曰：「我，如來弟子，閑居習定。王宜樹福，弘讚佛教，建伽藍，召僧眾。」王曰：「如來者，有何德，有何神，而汝鳥棲，勤苦奉教？」曰：「如來慈愍四生，誘導三界，或顯或隱，示生示滅。遵其法者，出離生死，迷其教者，羈纏愛網。」王曰：「誠如所說，事高言議，既云大聖，為我現形；既得瞻仰，當為建立，罄心歸信，弘揚教法。」羅漢曰：「王建伽藍，功成感應。」王苟從其請，建僧伽藍，遠近咸集，法會稱慶，而未有揵稚扣擊召集。王謂羅漢曰：「伽藍已成，佛在何所？」羅漢曰：「當至誠，聖鑒不遠。」王遂禮請，忽見空中佛像下降，授王揵稚，因即誠信，弘揚佛教。

Fearing lest his house should become extinct, he repaired to the temple of Vaisravana, and prayed him to grant his desire. Forthwith the head of the image (idol) opened at the top, and there came forth a young child. Taking it, he returned to his palace. The whole country addressed congratulations to him, but as the child would not drink milk, he feared he would not live. He then returned to the temple and again asked (the god) for means to nourish him. The earth in front of the divinity then suddenly opened and offered an appearance like a pap. The divine child drank from it eagerly. Having reached supreme power in due course, he shed glory on his ancestors by his wisdom and courage, and extended far and wide the influence of his laws. Forthwith he raised to the god (Vaisravana) a temple in honour of his ancestors. From that time till now the succession of kings has been in regular order, and the power has been lineally transmitted. And for this reason also the present temple of the Deva is richly adorned with rare gems and worship is punctually offered in it. From the first king having been nourished from milk coming from the earth the country was called by its name (pap of the earth—Kustana). About 10 li south of the capital is a large sangharama, built by a former king of the country in honour of Vairochana (Pi-lu-che-na) Arhat. In old days, when the law of Buddha had not yet extended to this country, that Arhat came from the country of Kasmir to this place.

He sat down in the middle of a wood and gave himself to meditation. At this time certain persons beheld him, and, astonished at his appearance and dress, they came and told the king. The king forthwith went to see him for himself. Beholding his appearance, he asked him, saying, "What man are you, dwelling alone in this dark forest?" The Arhat replied, "I am a disciple of Tathagata; I am dwelling here to practise meditation. Your majesty ought to establish religious merit by extolling the doctrine of Buddha, building a convent, and providing a body of priests." The king said, "What virtue has Tathagata, what spiritual power, that you should be hiding here as a bird practising his doctrine (or rules)?" He replied, "Tathagata is full of love and compassion for all that lives; he has come to guide living things throughout the three worlds; he reveals himself by birth or he hides himself; he comes and goes. Those who follow his law avoid the necessity of birth and death; all those ignorant of his doctrine are still kept in the net of worldly desire." The king said, "Truly what you say is a matter of high importance." Then, after deliberation, he said with a loud voice, "Let the great saint appear for my sake and show himself; having seen his appearance, then I will build a monastery, and believe in him, and advance his cause." The Arhat replied, "Let the king build the convent, then, on account of his accomplished merit, he may gain his desire."

The temple having been finished, there was a great assembly of priests from far and near; but as yet there was no ghanta to call together the congregation; on which the king said, "The convent is finished, but where is the appearance of Buddha?" The Arhat said, "Let the king exercise true faith and the spiritual appearance will not be far off!" Suddenly in mid-air appeared a figure of Buddha descending from heaven, and gave to the king a ghanta (kien-ti), on which his faith was confirmed, and he spread abroad the doctrine of Buddha. To the south-west of the royal city about 20 li or so is Mount Goshringa (K'iu-shi-ling-kia); there are two peaks to this mountain, and around these peaks there are on each side a connected line of hills. In one of the valleys there has been built a sangharama; in this is placed a figure of Buddha, which from time to time emits rays of glory; in this place Tathagata formerly delivered a concise digest of the law for the benefit of the Devas. He prophesied also that in this place there would be founded a kingdom, and that in it the principles of the bequeathed law would be extended and the Great Vehicle be largely practised.