On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c20.10

v2.c20.10

Returning to the pilgrim's narrative it tells us that going east from the Moha river through a forest and jungle for above 100 li you come to the Kukkuṭapāda (Cock's foot) or Gurupāda (Sage's foot) Mountain. The lofty peaks of this mountain are endless cliffs, and its deep valleys are boundless ravines; its lower slopes have their gullies covered with tall trees, and rank vegetation clothes the steep heights. A threefold cliff projects in isolated loftiness, reaching to the sky and blending with the clouds. As time went on since the Venerable Mahā Kāśyapa took up his abode in it, in nirvāṇa, the people not venturing to speak plainly talked of it as the Gurupāda mountain. This Mahā Kāśyapa, the pilgrim goes on to relate, was a disciple who had attained full supernatural powers. When the Julai having finished his mission was about to pass away he addressed Kāśyapa, saying— "For vast kalpas I devoted myself zealously to austerities seeking to obtain the highest religion (fa 法) for all creatures; my aspirations have been all realized; as I now wish to pass away, I commit to you all my canon to preserve and preach in its entirety; my gold-embroidered monk's robe, the gift of my aunt, keep to hand over to Maitreya when he comes to be Buddha; those who will then be adherents of the religion which I am leaving, monks and nuns, male and female lay-believers, are all to be saved first, and released from renewed existence". Kāśyapa thereupon undertook the charge of Buddha's religion. Twenty years after he had drawn up the canon, wearied with impermanence, he proceeded to "enter nirvāṇa". So going up the north side of the Cock-foot Mountain, and thence to its south-west ridge where there were steep precipices and narrow tortuous paths, with his monk's staff he opened a way by which he reached the summit emerging on the north-east side. There he entered the triple peak, inside which he stands holding Buddha's robe, the threefold summit having closed over him by the force of his prayer, and the mountain still retains the dorsal triple elevation. Hereafter when Maitreya has come, and has had his three assemblies, there will still remain an immense number of unbelievers; these Maitreya will lead to this mountain and shew them Kāśyapa; but the sight will only increase their pride of spirit. Then Kāśyapa will, in their presence, give over the Buddha's robe to Maitreya and bid him farewell; having done this he will soar into the air, work miracles, and pass away by magic combustion. Seeing all this the unbelievers will be moved to faith, and eventually will all attain arhatship. At the tope on this mountain bright lights are seen occasionally in the stillness of the night, but they may not be visible to you when you ascend the mountain.