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大唐西域記 3.4.3

Si-yu-ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World 3.4.3

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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.

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