大唐西域記 7.31

7.31

吠舍釐國，周五千餘里。土地沃壤，花菓茂盛，菴沒羅菓、茂遮菓既多且貴。氣序和暢，風俗淳質，好福重學，邪正雜信。伽藍數百，多已圮壞，存者三五，僧徒稀少。天祠數十，異道雜居，露形之徒，寔繁其黨。吠舍釐城已甚傾頹，其故基趾周六七十里，宮城周四五里，少有居人。

This kingdom is about 5000 li in circuit. The soil is rich and fertile; flowers and fruits are produced in abundance. The āmra fruit (mango) and the mōcha (banana) are very plentiful and much prized. The climate is agreeable and temperate. The manners of the people are pure and honest. They love religion and highly esteem learning. Both heretics and believers are found living together. There are several hundred saṅghārāmas, which are mostly dilapidated. The three or five which still remain have but few priests in them. There are several tens of Deva temples, occupied by sectaries of different kinds. The followers of the Nirgranthas are very numerous. The capital city of Vaiśāli (or, called Vaiśāli) is to a great extent in ruins. Its old foundations are from 60 to 70 li in circuit. The royal precincts are about 4 or 5 li round: there are a few people living in it. North-west of the royal city (precincts) 5 or 6 li. is a sangharama with a few disciples. They study the teaching of the Little Vehicle, according to the Sammatiya school. By the side of it is a stupa. It was here Tathagata delivered the Vimalakirtti Sutra (Pi-mo-lo-kie-king), and the son of a householder, Ratnakara, and others offered precious parasols (to Buddha). To the east of this is a stupa. It was here Sariputra and others obtained perfect exemption (became Arhats).