大唐西域記 7.2.2

7.2.2

Going east from the chief city about 200 li, we come to a sanghārāma called 'O-pi-t'o-k'ie-la-na ("Ears not pierced" — Aviddhakarna). The circuit (encircling wall) is not great, but the ornamental work of the building is very artistic. The lakes reflect the surrounding flowers, and the eaves of the towers and pavilions (or, the tower-pavilions) touch one another in a continuous line. The priests are grave and decorous, and all their duties are properly attended to. The tradition states: Formerly there were two or three Sramanas, passionately fond of learning, who lived in the country of Tu-ho-lo (Tukhara), to the north of the Snowy Mountains, and were of one mind. Each day during the intervals of worship and reciting the scriptures, they talked together in this way: "The excellent principles of religion are dark and mysterious, not to be fathomed in careless talk. The sacred relics (traces) shine with their own peculiar splendour; let us go together from place to place, and tell our faithful (believing) friends what sacred relics we ourselves have seen."