大唐西域記 6.62

6.62

現足側有窣堵波，無憂王所建也，是八王分舍利處。前建石柱，刻記其事。佛入涅槃，後涅疊般那已，諸八國王備四兵至，遣直性婆羅門謂拘尸力士曰：「天、人導師，此國寂滅，故自遠來，請分舍利。」力士曰：「如來降尊，即斯下土，滅世間明導，喪眾生慈父。如來舍利，自當供養，徒疲道路，終無得獲。」時諸大王遜辭以求，既不相允，重謂之曰：「禮請不從，兵威非遠。」直性婆羅門揚言曰：「念哉！大悲世尊忍修福善，彌歷曠劫，想所具聞，今欲相凌，此非宜也。今舍利在此，當均八分，各得供養，何至興兵？」諸力士依其言，即時均量，欲作八分。帝釋謂諸王曰：「天當有分，勿恃力競。」阿那婆答多龍王、文隣龍王、醫那鉢呾羅龍王復作是議：「無遺我曹。若以力者，眾非敵矣。」直性婆羅門曰：「勿諠諍也，宜共分之。」即作三分，一諸天，二龍眾，三留人間，八國重分。天、龍、人王，莫不悲感。

When Buddha died, and after his cremation, the kings of the eight countries with their troops (four kinds of troops] sent a right-minded Brahman (Drona) to address the Mallas of Kusinagara, saying, "The guide of men and gods has died in this country; we have come from far to request a share of his relics." The Mallas said, "Tathagata has condescended to come to this land; the guide of the world is dead! the loving father of all that lives has gone! We ought to adore the relics of Buddha; your journey here has been in vain, you will not gain your end." Then the great kings having sought humbly for them and failed, sent a second message saying, "As you will not accede to our request, our troops are near." Then the Brahman addressing them said, "Reflect how the Lord, the great merciful, prepared religious merit by practising patience; through successive ages his renown will last. Your desire now to try force is not right. Divide then the relics into eight portions, so that all may worship them. Why resort to arms?" The Mallas, obedient to these words, divided the relics into eight parts. Then Sakra the king of gods said, "The Devas also should have a share; dispute not their right."

At this time Kaśyapa, with 500 followers from out the forest, came to Kuśinagara, and asked Ānanda saying, "Can I behold Tathāgata's body?" Ānanda said, "Swathed in a thousand napkins, enclosed within a heavy coffin, with scented wood piled up, we are about to burn it." At this time Buddha caused his feet to come from out the coffin. Above (or, on) the wheel sign lo! there were different coloured marks. Addressing Ānanda then, he said, "And what are these?" Answering he said, "When first he died the tears of men and gods, moved by pity, falling upon his feet, left these marks. Then Kaśyapa worshipped and walked round the coffin uttering his praises. Then the scented wood caught fire of its own accord, and burnt the whole with a great conflagration. When Tathāgata died he appeared three times from his coffin: first, when he put out his arm and asked Ānanda, "(Have you) prepared the way?" secondly, when he sat up and preached the law for his mother's sake; and thirdly, when he showed his feet to the great Kaśyapa. By the side of the place where he showed his feet is a stūpa built by Aśōka-rāja. This is the place where the eight kings shared the relics. In front is built a stone pillar on which is written an account of this event.

Anavatapta the Naga also, and Muchilinda (Wen-lin), and Elapatra (I-lo-po-ta-lo) also, deliberated and said, "We ought not to be left without a bequest; if we seek it by force it will not be well for you!" The Brahman said, "Dispute not so!" Then he divided the relics into three portions, one for the Devas, one for the Nagas, and one remnant for the eight kingdoms among men. This addition of Devas and Nagas in sharing the relics was a source of great sorrow to the kings of men. To the south-west of the relic-dividing stūpa, going 200 li or so, we come to a great village; here lived a Brahman of eminent wealth and celebrity, deeply learned in all pure literature, versed in the five Vidyās, acquainted with the three treasures (piṭakas). By the side of his home he had built a priest's house, and had used all his wealth to adorn it with magnificence. If by chance any priests in their travels stopped on their way, he asked them to halt, and used all his means to entertain them. They might stop one night, or even throughout seven days. After this, Śaśāṅka-rāja having destroyed the religion of Buddha, the members of the priesthood were dispersed, and for many years driven away. The Brahman nevertheless retained for them, through all, an undying regard. As he was walking he chanced to see a Śramaṇa, with thick eyebrows and shaven head, holding his staff, coming along.