集古今佛道論衡 3.31

3.31

In the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, Li Yibiao, an envoy to the Western Regions, returned and memorialized that in the domain of King Kumāra in Eastern India, the Buddhadharma had not yet arrived, and heterodox paths flourished. He had informed them: “Before the Buddhist teaching arrived in the great state of Cīna, there were previously sages who attained the Way, who expounded scriptures circulating among the secular world. But these texts have not arrived here. If you were to hear them, you would surely believe and revere them.” That king said: “When you return to your native country, translate them into Sanskrit. I wish to see them. If their Way surpasses these groups, their transmission will not be slow.” Immediately, [an edict] was issued...