On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c19.90

v2.c19.90

of this kalpa go into the Vajra-samādhi; and as they attain bodhi at this spot it is also called the "Bodhi-Arena" (Tao-ch'ang, that is Bodhi-maṇḍala or Bodhi-maṇḍa). This spot is undisturbed by cosmic convulsions; but since the decline of Buddhism in latter times it cannot be seen on account of the sand with which it has become covered. After the decease of the Buddha princes set up sitting images of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Kuantszü-tsai-P'usa) facing east at the north and south boundaries according to Buddha's description. Tradition said that when these images sink out of sight Buddhism will come to an end; the image at the south corner had already disappeared up to the breast. The Bodhi Tree at the Adamant-Seat is a peepul which in the Buddha's time was some hundreds of feet high, and although it had been cut down several times it remains forty or fifty feet high. This tree, the P'usa shu (or Bodhisattva Tree) is an evergreen, but every year on the day of the Buddha's decease it sheds its leaves, which are instantly replaced. On this day princes, Buddhist Brethren, and laymen, come of their own accord in myriads to the Tree, and bathe it with scented water and milk to the accompaniment of music, flowers are offered at the time and lights are kept continually burning. The pilgrim next relates the stories of Asoka and his queen, in succession, making determined efforts to destroy the Bodhi Tree, the attempts being in each case frustrated. When the Tree grew again, after the queen had caused it to be felled, Asoka surrounded it with a stone wall above ten feet high which was apparently still in existence. In recent times Śaśāṅka, the enemy and oppressor of Buddhism, cut down the Bodhi Tree, destroyed its roots down to the water, and burned what remained. A few months afterwards Pūrṇavarma, the last descendant of Asoka on the throne of Magadha, by pious efforts brought the tree back to life and in one night it became above ten feet high. This king then built round it a stone wall 24 feet high, and so the Bodhi Tree is now 20 (in D text, ten) feet above its protecting wall.