On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.73

v2.c19.73

The pilgrim proceeds to relate that above 20 *li* south-west from the Guṇamati Monastery was an isolated hill, with a monastery said to have been built by the Śāstra-Master Śīlabhadra, who made a religious offering of the city which he had obtained on his victory in a discussion; taking advantage of the resemblance of the steep peak to a tope, Śīlabhadra had deposited in the peak Buddha-relics. Then we have the story of this monastery to the following effect. Śīlabhadra was a scion of the Brahminical royal family of Samataṭa (in East India); as a young man he was fond of learning and of exemplary principles. He travelled through India seeking the wise, and in Nālanda he met Dharmapāla P'usa who gave him instruction, and in due time ordained him as a bhikshu. Then Śīlabhadra rose to be eminent for his profound comprehension of the principles and subtleties of Buddhism, and his fame extended to foreign countries. A learned but proud and envious brahmin of South India came to Magadha to have a discussion with Dharmapāla. Śīlabhadra, at the time the most eminent of the disciples of Dharmapāla, although only thirty years of age, proposed to meet the brahmin in controversy, and the offer was accepted. At the discussion the brahmin was utterly defeated, and the king to mark his appreciation of the victor's success wished to endow him with the revenues of a certain city. But Śīlabhadra declined the gift saying— “The scholar with dyed garments is satisfied with the requisites of his Order; leading a life of purity and continence what has he to do with a city?” The king, however, urges him to accept the reward— "The prince of religion has vanished" he says, "and the boat of wisdom has foundered; without public recognition there is nothing to stimulate disciples: for the advancement of Buddhism be graciously pleased to accept my offer". Then Śīlabhadra, unable to have his own way, accepted the city, and built the monastery. Carrying out the rule of right to the end, he offered up [the revenue from] the inhabitants of the city for the proper maintenance of the establishment.