大唐西域記 6.4.2

6.4.2

According to the general tradition, Tathâgata was eighty years old when, on the 15th day of the second half of the month Vaisâkha, he entered Nirvâṇa. This corresponds to the 15th day of the 3d month with us. But the Sarvâstivâdins say that he died on the 8th day of the second half of the month Kârtika, which is the same as the 8th day of the 9th month with us. The different schools calculate variously from the death of Buddha. Some say it is 1200 years and more since then. Others say, 1300 and more. Others say, 1500 and more. Others say that 900 years have passed, but not 1000 since the Nirvâṇa. By the side of the vihâra, and not far from it, is a stûpa. This denotes the place where Bodhisattva, when practising a religious life, was born as the king of a flock of pheasants (chi — S. kapiñjala), and caused a fire to be put out. Formerly there was in this place a great and shady forest, where beasts and birds congregated and built their nests or dwelt in caves. Suddenly a fierce wind burst from every quarter, and a violent conflagration spread on every side. At this time there was a pheasant who, moved by pity and tenderness, hastened to plunge itself in a stream of pure water, and then flying up in the air, shook the drops from its feathers (on the flames). Whereupon Śakra, king of Devas, coming down, said (to the bird), "Why are you so foolish as to tire yourself, thus fluttering your wings? A great fire is raging, it is burning down the forest trees and the desert grass;