On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.42

v2.c19.42

Yuan-chuang, proceeding with his account, relates that by the side of the Kukkuṭārāma was a large tope called the Āmalaka stupa, āmalaka being "the name of an Indian medicinal fruit". To account for the existence of this tope he tells the story of the dying Asoka and his last gift of the half of an āmalaka (or āmala) fruit. The king was *in extremis* and, knowing this, he wished to give his valuables in alms to the Buddhist clergy; but his statesmen had engrossed the administration, and would not allow him to carry out his desires. Once at food he kept an āmalaka and played with it until one half was spoiled: then holding it in his hand he sighed, and soliloquized on the vanity of human grandeur. After a few words with his ministers he charged the one in attendance to carry the half-fruit to the Kukkuṭārāma, and give it to the Brethren with a message from him. The abbot accepted the alms-offering in pity to the king, gave the fruit as requested to the Brethren, having instructed the steward to have the fruit cooked, to keep the kernel, and to have a tope raised.