大宋僧史略 1.17

1.17

As for the above various theories, the imperial reigns differ: first, the end of the Xia; second, the end of the Shang; third, the time of King Zhao of the Zhou; fourth, the time of King Ping; fifth, the time of King Huan; sixth, the time of King Zhuang; seventh, the time of King Zhending. All of these rely on accounts in the chronicles of this land. If one consults the sūtras and vinaya, the Yufo jing says that all Buddhas are born on the eighth day of the fourth month. The Ruiying jing also says he was born on the eighth day of the fourth month. However, the Sarvāstivāda-śāstra says he was born on the eighth day of the second month. Thus, within the inner teachings, two accounts differ. Now I say: if the Buddha was born in the Xia era, that is the eighth day of the fourth month with the dipper pointing to si; if born in the Shang era, that is the eighth day of the month with the dipper pointing to chen; if born in the Zhou era, that is the eighth day of the month with the dipper pointing to mao. Furthermore, according to Vinaya Master Xuan of Nanshan questioning a celestial being: 'Records in this land concerning the Buddha's birth say variously the Shang era, or the time of King Zhao of the Zhou, or the age of Duke Zhuang of Lu. How may it be precisely established?' The celestial being replied: 'All have their reasons. This disciple was born in the time of Jie of the Xia, and in heaven completely witnessed the Buddha's descending transformation. Yet the Buddha has three bodies; the Dharma and Reward Bodies cannot be seen by humans or devas. Only because the Transformation Body Buddha universally covers the three thousand worlds are there ten billion Śākyamunis. Responding to different capacities, their timings are not fixed; there is no cause for doubt.'