大唐西域記 6.8

6.8

城南五六里，有逝多林（唐言勝林。舊曰祇陀，訛也），是給孤獨園。勝軍王大臣善施為佛建精舍，昔為伽藍，今已荒廢。東門左右各建石柱，高七十餘尺，左柱鏤輪相於其端，右柱刻牛形於其上，並無憂王之所建也。室宇傾圮，唯餘故基，獨一甎室巋然獨在，中有佛像。昔者如來昇三十三天，為母說法之後，勝軍王聞出愛王刻檀像佛，乃造此像。善施長者仁而聰敏，積而能散，拯乏濟貧，哀孤恤老，時美其德，號給孤獨焉。聞佛功德，深生尊敬，願建精舍，請佛降臨。世尊命舍利子隨瞻揆焉，唯太子逝多園地爽塏。尋詣太子，具以情告。太子戲言：「金遍乃賣。」善施聞之，心豁如也，即出藏金，隨言布地。有少未滿，太子請留，曰：「佛誠良田，宜植善種。」即於空地，建立精舍。世尊即之，告阿難曰：「園地善施所買，林樹逝多所施，二人同心，式崇功業。自今已去，應謂此地為逝多林給孤獨園。」

To the south of the city 5 or 6 li is the Jetavana. This is where Anathapindada (Ki-ku-to) (otherwise called) Sudatta, the chief minister of Prasenajita-raja, built for Buddha a vihara. There was a sangharama here formerly, but now all is in ruins (desert). On the left and right of the eastern gate has been built a pillar about 70 feet high; on the left-hand pillar is engraved on the base a wheel; on the right-hand pillar the figure of an ox is on the top. Both columns were erected by Asoka-raja. The residences (of the priests) are wholly destroyed; the foundations only remain, with the exception of one solitary brick building, which stands alone in the midst of the ruins, and contains an image of Buddha. Formerly, when Tathagata ascended into the Trayastrimsas heaven to preach for the benefit of his mother, Prasenajita-raja, having heard that the king Udayana had caused a sandal-wood figure of Buddha to be carved, also caused this image to be made.

The nobleman Sudatta was a man of "humanity" and talent. He had amassed great wealth, and was liberal in its distribution. He succoured the needy and destitute, and had compassion on the orphan and helped the aged. During his lifetime they called him Anathapindada (Ki-ku-to — friend of the orphan) on account of his virtue. He, hearing of the religious merit of Buddha, conceived a deep reverence for him, and vowed to build a vihara for him. He therefore asked Buddha to condescend to come to receive it. The Lord of the World commanded Sariputra (She-li-tseu) to accompany him and aid by his counsel. Considering the garden of Jeta (Shi-to-yuen), the prince, to be a proper site on account of its pleasant and upland position, they agreed to go to the prince to make known the circumstances of the case. The prince in a jeering way said, "If you can cover the ground with gold (pieces) I will sell it (you can buy it)." Sudatta, hearing it, was rejoiced. He immediately opened his treasuries, with a view to comply with the agreement, and cover the ground. There was yet a little space not filled. The prince asked him to desist, but he said, "The field of Buddha is true; I must plant good seed in it." Then on the vacant spot of ground he raised a vihara.

The Lord of the World forthwith addressed Ananda and said, "The ground of the garden is what Sudatta has bought; the trees are given by Jeta. Both of them, similarly minded, have acquired the utmost merit. From this time forth let the place be called the grove of Jeta (Shi-to) and the garden of Anathapindada (Ki-ku-to). To the north-east of the garden of Anathapindada (Ki-ku-to) is a stupa. This is the place where Tathagata washed with water the sick Bhikshu. Formerly, when Buddha was in the world, there was a sick Bhikshu (Pi-tsu), who, cherishing his sorrow, lived apart by himself in a solitary place. The Lord of the World seeing him, inquired, "What is your affliction, living thus by yourself?" He answered, "My natural disposition being a careless one and an idle one, I had no patience to look on a man sick (to attend on the sick), and now when I am entangled in sickness there is nobody to look on me (attend to me)." Tathāgata, moved with pity thereat, addressed him and said, "My son! I will look on you!" and then touching him, as he bent down, with his hand, lo! the sickness was immediately healed; then leading him forth to the outside of the door, he spread a fresh mat for him and himself, washed his body and changed his clothes for new ones. Then Buddha addressed the Bhikshu, "From this time be diligent and exert yourself." Hearing this, he repented of his idleness, was moved by gratitude, and, filled with joy, he followed him.