On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c18.10

v2.c18.10

Our pilgrim proceeds to relate that to the north-east of the capital, and on the west side of the Po-lo-na (Barna) river, was an Asoka tope above 100 feet high. In front of this was a pillar of polished green stone, clear and lustrous as a mirror in which the reflection of the Buddha was constantly visible. Continuing his description the pilgrim states that at a distance of ten *li* north-east from the Barna river was the Deer-Park Monastery. This establishment, he says, was in eight divisions all enclosed within one wall; the tiers of balconies and the rows of halls were extremely artistic; there were 1500 Buddhist Brethren in the establishment all adherents of the Sammatiya School. Within the great enclosing wall was a temple (*ching-shê*) above 200 feet high surmounted by an embossed gilt *an-mê-lo* (amra or mango) fruit: the base and steps were of stone: in the brick portion above were more than 100 rows of niches each containing a gilt image of the Buddha; inside the temple was a *tu-chi* (bell-metal?) image of the Buddha representing him in the attitude of preaching and as large as life.