大唐西域記 3.20

3.20

上軍王嗣位之後，其母喪明。如來伏阿波邏羅龍還也，從空下其宮中。上軍王適從遊獵，如來因為其母略說法要。遇聖聞法，遂得復明。如來問曰：「汝子，我之族也，今何所在？」母曰：「旦出畋遊，今將返駕。」如來與諸大眾尋欲發引。王母曰：「我惟福遇，生育聖族，如來悲愍，又親降臨，我子方還，願少留待。」世尊曰：「斯人者，我之族也。可聞教而信悟，非親誨以發心。我其行矣。還，語之曰：『如來從此往拘尸城娑羅樹間入涅槃，宜取舍利，自為供養。』」如來與諸大眾凌虛而去。上軍王方遊獵，遠見宮中光明赫奕，疑有火災，罷獵而返。乃見其母復明，慶而問曰：「我去幾何，有斯祥感，能令慈母復明如昔？」母曰：「汝出之後，如來至此，聞佛說法，遂得復明。如來從此至拘尸城娑羅樹間，當取涅槃，召汝速來分取舍利。」時王聞已，悲號頓躄，久而醒悟，命駕馳赴。至雙樹間，佛已涅槃。時諸國王輕其邊鄙，寶重舍利，不欲分與。是時天、人大眾重宣佛意，諸王聞已，遂先均授。

Just after Uttarasena had come to power his mother lost her sight. Tathagata, when he was going back from the subjugation of the Naga Apalala, descended from space and alighted in this palace. Uttarasena was out hunting, and Tathagata preached a short sermon to his mother. Having heard the sermon from the mouth of the holy one, she forthwith recovered her sight. Tathagata then asked her, "Where is your son? he is of my family." She said, "He went out hunting for a while this morning, but he will soon be back." When Tathagata with his attendants were bent on going, the king's mother said, "Of my great fortune I have borne a child belonging to the holy family; and Tathagata of his great compassion has again come down to visit my house as connected with him. My son will soon return; oh, pray remain for a short time!" The Lord of the World said, "This son of yours belongs to my family; he need only hear the truth to believe it and understand it. If he were not my relative I would remain to instruct his heart, but now I go. On his return, tell him that Tathagata has gone from this to Kusinagara (Keu-shi), where between the Sala trees he is about to die, and let your son come for a share of the relics to honour them."

Then Tathagata with all his attendants took flight through the air and went. Afterwards Uttarasena-raja, whilst engaged in the chase, saw, a long way off, his palace lighted up as if with a fire. Being in doubt about it, he quitted the chase and returned. On seeing his mother with her sight restored he was transported with joy, and addressed her, saying, "What fortunate circumstance has occurred to you during my short absence that you should have got your sight again as of old time?" The mother said, "After you had gone out Tathagata came here, and after hearing him preach I recovered my sight. Buddha has gone from here to Kusinagara; he is going to die between the Sala trees. He commands you to go quickly to the spot to get some of his relics." The king having heard these words, uttered cries of lamentation, and fell prostrate on the ground motionless. Coming to himself, he collected his cortege and went to the twin-trees, where Buddha had already died. Then the kings of the other countries treated him scornfully, and were unwilling to give him a share of the much-prized relics they were taking to their own countries. On this a great assembly of Devas acquainted them with Buddha's wishes, on which the kings divided the relics equally, beginning with him.