On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c17.s3.16

v2.c17.s3.16

The pilgrim now goes on to describe the scene of the Buddha’s Parinirvāṇa, the Great Decease. He states that three or four *li* to the north-west of the capital, on the other side of the Ajitavati river, and not far from the west bank of the river, was the Sāla Grove. The Sāla tree he describes as like the the Chinese oak with a greenish-white bark and very glossy leaves. Among the Sāl trees of the grove were four of extraordinary size, and it was at these the Ju-lai passed away. In the large brick temple (or chaitya, *ching-shê*) at the place was an image (or representation) of *Ju-lai-nie-pan* (that is, of the Buddha dead) lying with his head to the north. Beside this temple was a tope, built by Asoka, which though in ruins was still above 200 feet high. In front of the tope was a stone pillar, on which were recorded the circumstances of the Buddha’s decease, but the day and the month were not given. The pilgrim, however, ascertained from records that the Buddha lived 80 years, and died on the last day of the month Vaiśākha (April-May), but the Sarvāstivādins held that he passed away on the 8th day of the second half of the month Kārthika (October-November). There were also, the pilgrim adds, differences of statement as to the time which had elapsed since the Buddha’s death, some authorities giving above 1200 years, some 1300, some 1500, and some only above 900 and under 1000.