大唐西域記 6.63

6.63

分舍利窣堵波西南行二百餘里，至大邑聚。有婆羅門，豪右巨富，確乎不雜，學究五明，敬崇三寶。接其居側，建立僧坊，窮諸資用，備盡珍飾，或有眾僧往來中路，慇懃請留，罄心供養，或止一宿，乃至七日。其後設賞迦王毀壞佛法，眾僧絕侶，歲月驟淹，而婆羅門每懷懇惻。經行之次，見一沙門，厖眉皓髮，杖錫而來。婆羅門馳往迎逆，問所從至，請入僧坊，備諸供養，旦以淳乳，煮粥進焉。沙門受已，纔一嚌齒，便即置鉢，沈吟長息。婆羅門持食，跪而問曰：「大德慧利隨緣，幸見臨顧，為夕不安耶？為粥不味乎？」沙門愍然告曰：「吾悲眾生福祐漸薄，斯言且置，食已方說。」沙門食訖，攝衣即語。婆羅門曰：「向許有說，今何無言？」沙門告曰：「吾非忘也。談不容易，事或致疑。必欲得聞，今當略說。吾向所歎，非薄汝粥。自數百年，不嘗此味。昔如來在世，我時預從，在王舍城竹林精舍，俯清流而滌器，或以澡漱，或以盥沐。嗟乎！今之淳乳，不及古之淡水，此乃人、天福滅使之然也。」婆羅門曰：「然則大德乃親見佛耶？」沙門曰：「然。汝豈不聞佛子羅怙羅者，我身是也。為護正法，未入寂滅。」說是語已，忽然不見。婆羅門遂以所宿之房，塗香灑掃，像設儀肅，其敬如在。

The Brahman hurried up to him, and meeting him asked, "Whence come you?" and besought him to enter the priest's abode and receive his charity. In the morning he gave him some rice-milk (rice balls with milk). The Śramaṇa having taken a mouthful, thereupon returned it (i.e., the rest) to his alms-bowl with a great sigh. The Brahman who supplied the food prostrating himself said, "Eminent sir! (bhadanta), is there any reason why you should not remain with me one night? is not the food agreeable?" The Śramaṇa graciously answering said, "I pity the feeble merit possessed by the world, but let me finish my meal and I will speak to you further." After finishing his food he gathered up his robes as if to go. The Brahman said, "Your reverence agreed to speak with me, why then are you silent?" The Śramaṇa said, "I have not forgotten; but to talk with you is irksome; and the circumstance is likely to create doubt, but yet I will tell you in brief. When I sighed, it was not on account of your offering of rice ; for during many hundreds of years I have not tasted such food. When Tathagata was living in the world I was a follower of his when he dwelt in the Venuvana-vihara, near Rajagriha (Ho-lo-she-ki-li-hi) ; there it was, stooping down, I washed his patra in the pure stream of the river — there I filled his pitcher — there I gave him water for cleansing his mouth ; but alas ! the milk you now offer is not like the sweet water of old !

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.

It is because the religious merit of Devas and men has diminished that this is the case ! " The Brahman then said, " Is it possible that you yourself have ever seen Buddha ? " The Sramana replied, " Have you never heard of Rahula, Buddha's own son? I am he! Because I desire to protect the true law I have not yet entered Nirvana." Having spoken thus he suddenly disappeared. Then the Brahman swept and watered the chamber he had used, and placed there a figure of him, which he reverenced as though he were present. Going 500 li through the great forest we come to the kingdom of P'o-lo-ni-sse (Banaras).