大唐西域記 3.40

3.40

《國志》曰：國地本龍池也。昔佛世尊自烏仗那國降惡神已，欲還中國，乘空當此國上，告阿難曰：「我涅槃之後，有末田底迦阿羅漢，當於此地建國安人，弘揚佛法。」如來寂滅之後第五十年，阿難弟子末田底迦羅漢者，得六神通，具八解脫，聞佛懸記，心自慶悅，便來至此，於大山嶺，宴坐林中，現大神變。龍見深信，請資所欲。阿羅漢曰：「願於池內，惠以容膝。」龍王於是縮水奉施。羅漢神通廣身，龍王縱力縮水，池空水盡，龍飜請地。阿羅漢於此西北為留一池，周百餘里；自餘枝屬，別居小池。龍王曰：「池地總施，願恒受供。」末田底迦曰：「我今不久無餘涅槃，雖欲受請，其可得乎？」龍王重請：「五百羅漢常受我供，乃至法盡，法盡之後，還取此國以為居池。」末田底迦從其所請。時阿羅漢既得其地，運大神通力，立五百伽藍。於諸異國買鬻賤人，以充役使，以供僧眾。末田底迦入寂滅後，彼諸賤人自立君長，隣境諸國鄙其賤種，莫與交親，謂之訖利多（唐言買得）。今時泉水已多流濫。

In the fiftieth year after the Nirvana, the disciple of Ananda, Madhyantika (Mo-t'ien-ti-kia) the Arhat — having obtained the six spiritual faculties and been gifted with the eight Vimokshas — heard of the prediction of Buddha. His heart was overjoyed, and he repaired to this country. He was sitting tranquilly in a wood on the top of a high mountain crag, and exhibited great spiritual changes. The dragon beholding it was filled with a deep faith, and requested to know what he desired. The Arhat said, " I request you to give me a spot in the middle of the lake just big enough for my knees." On this the dragon withdrew the water so far, and gave him the spot. Then by his spiritual power the Arhat increased the size of his body, whilst the dragon king kept back the waters with all his might. So the lake became dry and the waters exhausted. On this the Naga, taking flight, asked for a place. The Arhat (then said), " To the north-west of this is a pool about 100 li in circuit; in this little lake you and your posterity may continue to dwell." The Naga said, "The lake and the land being mutually transferred, let me be allowed to make my religious offerings to you." Madhyantika said, "Not long hence I shall enter on the Nirvana without remnants (anupadhisesha); although I should wish to allow your request, how can I do it?"

The Naga then pressed his request in this way: "May 500 Arhats then ever receive my offerings till the end of the law? After which (I ask to be allowed) to return to this country to dwell (in it) as a lake." Madhyantika granted his request. Then the Arhat, having obtained this land by the exercise of his great spiritual power, founded 500 sangharamas. He then set himself to procure by purchase from surrounding countries a number of poor people who might act as servitors to the priests. Madhyantika having died, these poor people constituted themselves rulers over the neighbouring countries. The people of surrounding countries despising these low-born men, would not associate with them, and called them Kritiyas (Ki-li-to). The fountains now have begun to bubble up (in token of the end of the law having come).

The climate is cold and stern. There is much snow but little wind. The people wear leather doublets and clothes of white linen. They are light and frivolous, and of a weak, pusillanimous disposition. As the country is protected by a dragon, it has always assumed superiority among neighbouring people. The people are handsome in appearance, but they are given to cunning. They love learning and are well instructed. There are both heretics and believers among them. There are about 100 sangharamas and 5000 priests. There are four stupas built by Asoka-raja. Each of these has about a pint measure of relics of Tathagata. The history of the country says : This country was once a dragon lake. In old times the Lord Buddha was returning to the middle kingdom (India) after subduing a wicked spirit in U-chang-na (Udyana), and when in mid-air, just over this country, he addressed Ananda thus : " After my Nirvana, the Arhat Madhyantika will found a kingdom in this land, civilise (pacify) the people, and by his own effort spread abroad the law of Buddha."