廣弘明集 1.15

1.15

I observe that through antiquity, the Three Sovereigns and Five Thearchs had occasions of fleeing westward, yet we rarely hear of their going east. Thus Xuan Yuan roamed to the realm of Huaxu—which Wang Shao says was none other than India. He also climbed the heights of the Kunlun Mountains—which are the Gandhamādana Mountains. Laozi concealed his traces in Fufeng, and the histories record his going into the shifting sands, while the various Daoist records all relate that he ascended Mount Kunlun westward and rose up to heaven. Examining this by facts, all followed [the way] to the Buddhist kingdom. Thus Boyi described the country of Shendu in the Shan hai jing as “dwelling close together and loving one another.” The antiquarian Guo Pu said: “Shendu is Tiandu (India), where the Buddha arose.” Now hearing the accounts thereof, it is said: “The land is abundant and situated in the middle of the earth; the soil and its products are precious and magnificent. The people are broadly benevolent and wise; their customs esteem philosophical learning. Their establishing of virtue and enriching of livelihood—how do they fall short of the Chinese lands? It was praised in antiquity as a country that loves people, and through the ages has brought forth sages and worthies.” How could this be a fabricated tale?