大唐西域記 7.48

7.48

濕吠多補羅伽藍東南行三十餘里，殑伽河南北岸各有一窣堵波，是尊者阿難陀分身與二國處。阿難陀者，如來之從父弟也，多聞總持，博物強識，佛去世後繼大迦葉住持正法，導進學人。在摩揭陀國，於林中經行，見一沙彌諷誦佛經，章句錯謬，文字紛亂。阿難聞已，感慕增懷，徐詣其所，提撕指授。沙彌笑曰：「大德耄矣，所言謬矣！我師高明，春秋鼎盛，親承示誨，誠無所誤。」阿難默然，退而歎曰：「我年雖邁，為諸眾生，欲久住世，住持正法。然眾生垢重，難以誨語，久留無利，可速滅度。」於是去摩揭陀國，趣吠舍釐城，度殑伽河，泛舟中流。摩揭陀王聞阿難去，情深戀德，即嚴戎駕，疾驅追請，數百千眾營軍南岸。吠舍釐王聞阿難來，悲喜盈心，亦治軍旅，奔馳迎候，數百千眾屯集北岸。兩軍相對，旌旗翳日。阿難恐鬪其兵，更相殺害，從舟中起，上昇虛空，示現神變，即入寂滅，化火焚骸，骸又中折，一墮南岸，一墮北岸。於是二王各得一分，舉軍號慟，俱還本國，起窣堵波，而修供養。

Ananda having heard him, his feelings were moved towards him, and, full of pity, he approached the place where he was; he desired to point out his mistakes and direct him in the right way. The Sramanera, smiling, said, "Your reverence is of great age; your interpretation of the words is a mistaken one. My teacher is a man of much enlightenment; his years (springs and autumns) are in their full maturity. I have received from him personally the true method of interpreting (the work in question); there can be no mistake." Ananda remained silent, and then went away, and with a sigh he said, "Although my years are many, yet for men's sake I was wishful to remain longer in the world, to hand down and defend the true law. But now men (all creatures) are stained with sin, and it is exceedingly difficult to instruct them. To stay longer would be useless: I will die soon." On this, going from Magadha, he went towards the city of Vaisali, and was now in the middle of the Ganges in a boat, crossing the river. At this time the king of Magadha, hearing of Ananda's departure, his feelings were deeply affected towards him, and so, preparing his chariot, he hastened after him with his followers (soldiers) to ask him to return. And now his host of warriors, myriads in number, were on the southern bank of the river, when the king of Vaisali, hearing of Ananda's approach, was moved by a sorrowful affection, and, equipping his host, he also went with all speed to meet him.

Going south 80 or 90 li from this place, we come to the sanghārāma called Svetapura (Shi-fei-to-pu-lo); its massive towers, with their rounded shapes and double storeys, rise in the air. The priests are calm and respectful, and all study the Great Vehicle. By the side of this building are traces where the four past Buddhas sat and walked. By the side of these is a stūpa built by Asoka-raja. It was here, when Buddha was alive, that, on going southwards to the Magadha country, he turned northwards to look at Vaisali, and left there, on the road where he stopped to breathe, traces of his visit. Going south-east from the Svetapura sangharama 30 li or so, on either (south and north) side of the Ganges river there is a stupa; this is the spot where the venerable Ananda divided his body between the two kingdoms. Ananda was on his father's side cousin of Tathagata. He was a disciple (saiksha) well acquainted with the doctrine (collectanea), thoroughly instructed in ordinary matters (men and things), and of masculine understanding. After Buddha's departure from the world he succeeded the great Kasyapa in the guardianship of the true law, and became the guide and teacher of men devoted to religion (men not yet Arhats). He was dwelling in the Magadha country in a wood; as he was walking to and fro he saw a Sramanera (novice) repeating in a bungling way a sutra of Buddha, perverting and mistaking the sentences and words.

His myriads of soldiers were assembled on the opposite bank of the river (the north side), and the two armies faced each other, with their banners and accoutrements shining in the sun. Ananda, fearing lest there should be a conflict and a mutual slaughter, raised himself from the boat into mid-air, and there displayed his spiritual capabilities, and forthwith attained Nirvana. He seemed as though encompassed by fire, and his bones fell in two parts, one on the south side, the other on the north side of the river. Thus the two kings each took a part, and whilst the soldiers raised their piteous cry, they all returned home and built stupas over the relics and paid them religious worship. Going north-east from this 500 li or so, we arrive at the country of Fo-li-shi (Vrijji).