大唐西域記 3.4.4

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.