大唐西域記 9.43

9.43

佛涅槃後未久，此國先王鑠迦羅阿逸多（唐言帝日），敬重一乘，遵崇三寶，式占福地，建此伽藍。初興功也，穿傷龍身，時有善占尼乾外道，見而記曰：「斯勝地也，建立伽藍，當必昌盛，為五印度之軌則，逾千載而彌隆，後進學人易以成業，然多歐血，傷龍故也。」其子佛陀毱多王（唐言覺護），繼體承統，聿遵勝業，次此之南，又建伽藍。呾他揭多毱多王（唐言如來），篤修前緒，次此之東，又建伽藍。婆羅阿迭多（唐言幼日）王之嗣位也，次此東北，又建伽藍。功成事畢，福會稱慶，輸誠幽顯，延請凡聖。其會也，五印度僧萬里雲集，眾坐已定，二僧後至，引上第三重閣。或有問曰：「王將設會，先請凡聖，大德何方，最後而至？」曰：「我至那國也，和上嬰疹，飯已方行，受王遠請，故來赴會。」問者驚駭，遽以白王。王心知聖也，躬往問焉，遲上重閣，莫知所去。王更深信，捨國出家。出家既已，位居僧末，心常怏怏，懷不自安：「我昔為王，尊居最上；今者出家，卑在眾末。」尋往白僧，自述情事。於是眾僧和合，令未受戒者以年齒為次，故此伽藍獨有斯制。其王之子代闍羅（唐言金剛），嗣位之後，信心貞固，復於此西建立伽藍。其後中印度王此北復建大伽藍。於是周垣峻峙，同為一門，既歷代君王繼世興建，窮諸剞劂，誠壯觀也。

Throughout the five Indies it will be a model. For a period of a thousand years it will nourish still. Students of all degrees will here easily accomplish their studies. But many will spit blood because of this wound given to the Naga." His son, Buddhagupta-raja (Fo-t'o-kio-to), who succeeded him, continued to labour at the excellent undertaking of his father. To the south of this he built another sanghdrdma. Tathagatagupta-raja (Ta-tha-kie-to-kio-lo) vigorously practised the former rules (of his ancestors'), and he built east from this another sanghdrdma. Balāditya-raja (P'o-lo-'o-tie-lo) succeeded to the empire. On the north-east side he built a sanghdrama. The work being done, he called together an assembly for congratulation. He respected equally the obscure and the renowned, and invited common folk and men of religion (holiness) without distinction. The priests of all India came together for the distance of 10,000 li. After all were seated and at rest, two priests arrived. They led them up the three-storeyed pavilion. Then they asked them, saying, "The king, when about to call the assembly, first asked men of all degrees (common and holy). From what quarter do your reverences come so late?" They said, "We are from the country of China. Our teacher was sick. Having nourished him, we set out to accept the king's far-off invitation. This is the reason why we have arrived so late."

The assembly hearing this, were filled with astonishment, and proceeded at once to inform the king. The king knowing that they were holy persons, went himself to interrogate them. He mounted the pavilion, but he knew not where they had gone. The king then was affected by a profound faith; he gave up his country and became a recluse. Having done so, he placed himself as the lowest of the priests, but his heart was always uneasy and ill at rest. "Formerly (he said) I was a king, and the highest among the honourable; but now I have become a recluse, I am degraded to the bottom of the priesthood." Forthwith he went to the priests, and said words to the above effect. On this the sangha resolved that they who had not received the full orders should be classed according to their natural years of life. This sanghārāma is the only one in which this law exists. This king's son, called Vajra (Fa-she-lo), came to the throne in succession, and was possessed of a heart firm in the faith. He again built on the west side of the convent a sanghārāma.

The old accounts of the country say that to the south of this sangharama, in the middle of an Amra ('An-mo-lo) grove, there is a tank. The Naga of this tank is called Nalanda. By the side of it is built the sangharama, which therefore takes the name (of the Naga). But the truth is that Tathagata in old days practised the life of a Bodhisattva here, and became the king of a great country, and established his capital in this land. Moved by pity for living things, he delighted in continually relieving them. In remembrance of this virtue he was called "charity without intermission;" and the sanghdrdma was called in perpetuation of this name. The site was originally an Amra garden. Five hundred merchants bought it for ten kdtis of gold pieces and gave it to Buddha. Buddha preached the law here during three months, and the merchants and others obtained the fruit of holiness. Not long after the Nirvana of Buddha, a former king of this country named Sakrāditya (Shi-kia-lo-'o-t'ie-to) respected and esteemed the (system of the) one Vehicle, and honoured very highly the three treasures. Having selected by augury a lucky spot, he built this sanghdrdma. When he began the work he wounded, in digging, the body of the Naga. At this time there was a distinguished soothsayer belonging to the heretical sect of the Nirgranthas. He having seen the occurrence, left this record : " This is a very superior site. If you build here a sanghdrdma, it must of necessity become highly renowned.

After this a king of Central India built to the north of this a great sanghārāma. Moreover, he built round these edifices a high wall with one gate. A long succession of kings continued the work of building, using all the skill of the sculptor, till the whole is truly marvellous to behold. The king said, "In the hall of the monarch who first began the sanghārāma I will place a figure of Buddha, and I will feed forty priests of the congregation every day to show my gratitude to the founder." The priests, to the number of several thousands, are men of the highest ability and talent. Their distinction is very great at the present time, and there are many hundreds whose fame has rapidly spread through distant regions. Their conduct is pure and unblamable. They follow in sincerity the precepts of the moral law. The rules of this convent are severe, and all the priests are bound to observe them. The countries of India respect them and follow them. The day is not sufficient for asking and answering profound questions. From morning till night they engage in discussion; the old and the young mutually help one another. Those who cannot discuss questions out of the Tripiṭaka are little esteemed, and are obliged to hide themselves for shame. Learned men from different cities, on this account, who desire to acquire quickly a renown in discussion, come here in multitudes to settle their doubts, and then the streams (of their wisdom) spread far and wide.