On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c18.20

v2.c18.20

To the south-west of the Buddhist Temple, the pilgrim proceeds, was a ruinous old stone tope built by Asoka of which 100 feet still remained above-ground. In front of this was a stone pillar, above 70 feet high, which had the softness of jade, and was of dazzling brightness. Very earnest petitioners saw in it darkly various pictures, and it often showed good and bad (that is, lucky and unlucky) indications. This pillar was at the spot at which the Buddha, having attained enlightenment, first preached his religion.