大唐西域記 3.4: SANG-HO-PU-LO [SIMHAPURA].
Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World 3.4
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SANG-HO-PU-LO [SIMHAPURA].
3.4.1
The kingdom of Sang-ho-pu-lo is about 3500 or 3600 li in circuit. On the west it borders on the river Sin-tu. The capital is about 14 or 15 li in circuit; it borders on the mountains. The crags and precipices which surround it cause it to be naturally strong. The ground is not highly cultivated, but the produce is abundant. The climate is cold, the people are fierce and value highly the quality of courage; moreover, they are much given to deceit. The country has no king or rulers, but is in dependence on Kaśmîr. Not far to the south of the capital is a stûpa built by Aśôka-râja. The decorations are much injured : spiritual wonders are continually connected with it. By its side is a sanghārāma, which is deserted and without priests.
3.4.2
To the south-east of the city 40 or 50 li is a stone stūpa which was built by Aśōka-rāja ; it is 200 feet or so in height. There are ten tanks, which are secretly connected together, and on the right and left (of the walks joining them) are covered stones (balustrades) in different shapes and of strange character. The water of the tanks is clear, and the ripples are sometimes noisy and tumultuous. Dragons and various fishes live in the clefts and caverns bordering on the tanks or hide themselves in the waters. Lotus flowers of the four colours cover the surface of the limpid water. A hundred kind of fruits surround them, and glisten with different shades. The trees are reflected deep down in the water, and altogether it is a lovely spot for wandering forth.
3.4.3
By the side there is a sanghārāma, which for a long time has been without priests. By the side of the stūpa, and not far off, is the spot where the original teacher of the white-robed heretics arrived at the knowledge of the principles he sought, and first preached the law. There is an inscription placed there to that effect. By the side of this spot is a temple of the Dēvas. The persons who frequent it subject themselves to austerities ; day and night they use constant diligence without relaxation. The laws of their founder are mostly filched from the principles of the books of Buddha. These men are of different classes, and select their rules and frame their precepts accordingly. The great ones are called Bhikshus; the younger are called Sramaneras. In their ceremonies and modes of life they greatly resemble the priests (of Buddha), only they have a little twist of hair on their heads, and they go naked. Moreover, what clothes they chance to wear are white. Such are the slight differences which distinguish them from others. The figure of their sacred master they stealthily class with that of Tathagata; it differs only in point of clothing; the points of beauty are absolutely the same.
3.4.4
From this place going back to the northern frontiers of Ta-ch'a-shi-lo, crossing the Sin-tu river and going south-east 200 li or so, we pass the great stone gates where formerly Mahasattva, as a prince, sacrificed his body to feed a hungry Wu-t'u (otu, a cat). To the south of this place 40 or 50 paces there is a stone stūpa. This is the place where Mahāsattva, pitying the dying condition of the beast, after arriving at the spot, pierced his body with a bamboo splinter, so as to nourish the beast with his blood. On this the animal, taking the blood, revived. On this account all the earth and the plants at this place are dyed with a blood colour, and when men dig the earth they find things like prickly spikes. Without asking whether we believe the tale or not, it is a piteous one. To the north of the body-sacrifice place there is a stone stūpa about 200 feet high, which was built by King Aśōka. It is adorned with sculptures and tastefully constructed (built). From time to time spiritual indications are apparent. There are a hundred or so small stūpas, provided with stone niches for movable images (or stone movable niches) around this distinguished spot. Whatever sick there are who can circumambulate it are mostly restored to health. To the east of the stūpa there is a saṅghārāma, with about 100 priests given to the study of the Great Vehicle.
3.4.5
Going east from this 50 li or so, we come to an isolated mountain, where there is a saṅghārāma with about 200 priests in it. They all study the Great Vehicle. Fruits and flowers abound here, with fountains and tanks clear as a mirror. By the side of this convent is a stūpa about 300 feet in height. Here Tathāgata dwelt in old time, and restrained a wicked Yaksha from eating flesh. Going from this kingdom about 500 li or so along the mountains in a south-easterly direction, we come to the country of Wu-la-shi (Uraśa).
Linked texts (1)
- 大唐西域記 — Xuanzang & 辯機, Classical Chinese