大唐西域記 3.41

3.41

摩揭陀國無憂王以如來涅槃之後第一百年，命世君臨，威被殊俗。深信三寶，愛育四生。時有五百羅漢僧、五百凡夫僧，王所敬仰，供養無差。有凡夫僧摩訶提婆（唐言大天），闊達多智，幽求名實，潭思作論，理違聖教，凡有聞知，群從異議。無憂王不識凡、聖，同情所好，黨援所親，召集僧徒赴殑伽河，欲沈深流，總從誅戮。時諸羅漢既逼命難，咸運神通，凌虛履空，來至此國，山棲谷隱。時無憂王聞而懼，躬來謝過，請還本國。彼諸羅漢確不從命。無憂王為羅漢建五百僧伽藍，總以此國持施眾僧。

In the hundredth year after the Nirvana of Tathagata, Asoka, king of Magadha, extended his power over the world, and was honoured even by the most distant people. He deeply reverenced the three gems, and had a loving regard for all living things. At this time there were 500 Arhats and 500 schismatical priests, whom the king honoured and patronised without any difference. Among the latter was a priest called Mahadeva, a man of deep learning and rare ability; in his retirement he sought a true renown; far thinking, he wrote treatises the principles of which were opposed to the holy doctrine. All who heard of him resorted to his company and adopted his views. Asoka-raja, not knowing either holy or common men, and because he was naturally given to patronise those who were seditious, was induced to call together an assembly of priests to the banks of the Ganges, intending to drown them all. At this time the Arhats having seen the danger threatening their lives, by the exercise of their spiritual power flew away through the air and came to this country and concealed themselves among the mountains and valleys. Asoka-raja having heard of it, repented, and confessing his fault, begged them to return to their own country; but the Arhats refused to do so with determination. Then Asoka-raja, for the sake of the Arhats, built 500 sangharamas, and gave this country as a gift to the priesthood.