大唐西域記 4.44

4.44

菴沒羅林側有窣堵波，毘末羅蜜多羅（唐言無垢友）論師之遺身。論師，迦濕彌羅國人也，於說一切有部而出家焉。博綜眾經，研究異論，遊五印度國，學三藏玄文，名立業成，將歸本國。途次眾賢論師窣堵波也，拊而歎曰：「惟論師雅量清高，抑揚大義，方欲挫異部，立本宗業也，如何降年不永！我無垢友猥承末學，異時慕義，曠代懷德。世親雖沒，宗學尚傳，我盡所知，當製諸論，令贍部洲諸學人等絕大乘稱，滅世親名，斯為不朽，用盡宿心。」說是語已，心發狂亂，五舌重出，熱血流涌。知命必終，裁書悔曰：「夫大乘教者，佛法之中究竟說也。名味泯絕，理致幽玄。輕以愚昧，駁斥先進，業報皎然，滅身宜矣。敢告學人，厥鑒斯在，各慎爾志，無得懷疑。」大地為震，命遂終焉。當其死處，地陷為坑。同旅焚屍，收骸旌建。時有羅漢見而歎曰：「惜哉！苦哉！今此論師，任情執見，毀惡大乘，墮無間獄。」

Beside the Âmra wood is a stûpa in which are relics of the bequeathed body of the master of śâstras Vimalamitra (Pi-mo-lo-mi-to-lo). This master of śâstras was a man of Kaśmîr. He became a disciple and attached himself to the Sarvâstivâda school. He had read a multitude of sûtras and investigated various śâstras; he travelled through the five Indies and made himself acquainted with the mysterious literature of the three piṭakas. Having established a name and accomplished his work, being about to retire to his own country, on his way he passed near the stûpa of Sanghabhadra, the master of śâstras. Putting his hand (on it), he sighed and said, "This master was truly distinguished, his views pure and eminent. After having spread abroad the great principles (of his faith), he purposed to overthrow those of other schools and lay firmly the fabric of his own. Why then should his fame not be eternal? I, Vimalamitra, foolish as I am, have received at various times the knowledge of the deep principles of his departed wisdom; his distinguished qualities have been cherished through successive generations. Vasubandhu, though dead, yet lives in the tradition of the school. That which I know so perfectly (ought to be preserved). I will write, then, such śâstras as will cause the learned men of Jambudvîpa to forget the name of the Great Vehicle and destroy the fame of Vasubandhu. This will be an immortal work, and will be the accomplishment of my long-meditated design."

Having finished these words, his mind became confused and wild; his boastful tongue heavily protruded, whilst the hot blood flowed forth. Knowing that his end was approaching, he wrote the following letter to signify his repentance: — "The doctrines of the Great Vehicle in the of Buddha contain the final principles. Its renown may fade, but its depth of reason is inscrutable. I foolishly dared to attack its distinguished teachers. The of my works is plain to all. It is for this I die. Let me address men of wisdom, who may learn from my example to guard well their thoughts, and not give way to the encouragement of doubts." Then the great earth shook again as he gave up life. In the place where he died the earth opened, and there was produced a ditch. His disciples burnt his body, collected his bones, and raised over them (a stūpa). At this time there was an Arhat who, having witnessed his death, sighed and exclaimed, "What unhappiness! what suffering! This master of śāstras yielding to his feelings and maintaining his own views, abusing the has fallen into the deepest !"