[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [大唐西域記](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087) › 5.35 # 大唐西域記 5.35 大唐西域記 5.35 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [5.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5.35) 天祠堂前有一大樹，枝葉扶疎，陰影蒙密，有食人鬼依而棲宅，故其左右多有遺骸。若人至此祠中，無不輕捨身命，既怵邪說，又為神誘，自古迄今，習謬無替。近有婆羅門，族姓子也，闊達多智，明敏高才，來至祠中，謂眾人曰：「夫曲俗鄙志，難以導誘，吾方同事，然後攝化。」亦既登臨，俯謂友曰：「吾有死矣。昔謂詭妄，今驗真實，天仙伎樂依空接引，當從勝境捐此鄙形。」尋欲投身，自取殞絕，親友諫喻，其志不移。遂布衣服，遍周樹下，及其自投，得全軀命。久而醒曰：「唯見空中諸天召命，斯乃邪神所引，非得天樂也。」 > If in this temple a man gives a single farthing, his merit is greater than if he gave a 1000 gold pieces elsewhere. Again, if in this temple a person is able to contemn life so as to put an end to himself, then he is born to eternal happiness in heaven. Before the hall of the temple there is a great tree with spreading boughs and branches, and casting a deep shadow. There was a body-eating demon here, who, depending on this custom (viz., of committing suicide), made his abode here; accordingly on the left and right one sees heaps of bones. Hence, when a person comes to this temple, there is everything to persuade him to despise his life and give it up: he is encouraged thereto both by the promptings of the heretics and also by the seductions of the (evil) spirit. From very early days till now this false custom has been practised. > — Samuel Beal 1884, Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World > Lately there was a Brahman whose family name was Tseu (putra); he was a man of deep penetration and great learning, of lucid wit and high talent. This man coming to the temple, called to all the people and said, "Sirs, ye are of crooked ways and perverse mind, difficult to lead and persuade." Then he engaged in their sacrifices with them, with a view afterwards to convert them. Then he mounted the tree, and looking down on his friends he said, "I am going to die. Formerly I said that their doctrine was false and wicked; now I say it is good and true. The heavenly Rishis, with their music in the air, call me. From this fortunate spot will I cast down my poor body." He was about to cast himself down when his friends, having failed by their expostulations to deter him, spread out their garments underneath the place where he was on the tree, and so when he fell he was preserved. When he recovered he said, "I thought I saw in the air the Devas calling me to come, but now by the stratagem of this hateful (heretical) spirit (viz., of th\< I have failed to obtain the heavenly jc To the east of the capital, between the two confli; of the river, for the space of 10 li or so, the ground is pleasant and upland. The whole is covered with a line sand. From old time till now, the kings and noble families, when they had occasion to distribute their wealth in charity, ever came to this place, and here gave away their goods; hence it is called the Great Charity Enclosure. > — Samuel Beal 1884, Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World - [Previous: 5.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5.34) - [Next: 5.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5.36) - [Up: 5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5) ## Translations (1) - [Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087~en-beal.5.4.3) — Samuel Beal 1884, English --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2087.5.35) · Pramāṇa