釋迦方志 2.101

2.101

During the Yuanshou era of Emperor Xiaowu of the Former Han, Huo Qubing attacked the Xiongnu, reached Gaolan, passed Mount Juyan, and captured the Kings of Kunye and Xiutu. He also captured a golden man over a zhang in height and placed it in the Ganquan Palace. The emperor regarded it as a great spirit, burning incense and worshipping it. When the Western Regions were opened, Zhang Qian was dispatched as envoy to Daxia, and upon his return said there was the kingdom of Shendu, also named Tianzhu; thus one first heard of the teachings of the Buddha. This was the beginning of the visible manifestation of the Buddha's forms and teachings.