On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c20.133

v2.c20.133

Going back to our pilgrim's narrative, it proceeds to tell us that four or five li south-east from the town of Ka-lo-pi-na-ka was a tope at the place where, according to one story, a disciple of Śāriputra, and according to another legend three Koṭis of Kāśyapa Buddha's arhats passed away for ever. At a distance of above thirty *li* east from this tope was the Indra-sālaguhā or Indra's Cave Mountain. This mountain, whose sombre gorges were covered with vegetation, had two peaks, and in the precipitous south side of the west peak was a broad low cave in which the Buddha often lodged. While the Buddha was staying here once (or according to another reading, from time to time), Indra delineated on a stone 42 doubts which he wished to have solved, and Buddha gave the solutions; the marks still existed. The image [of Buddha] recently made here is after the old sacred style. On the east peak of this mountain was a monastery, and the Brethren in it saw lights burning before the Buddha image in the cave of the peak opposite. In front of this monastery was the *Hêng-sha* (or Haṃsa) that is Wild-goose Tope. The Brethren of this monastery had been Hīnayānists and so "Gradualists", who accepted and observed the rule as to the three lawful kinds of flesh for food. It happened, however, on one occasion that these kinds of food were not to be had; a Brother walking up and down saw a flock of wild geese flying overhead. He said aloud in joke—"To-day there is no breakfast for the Brethren; the Mahāsattva must know the right time". Before he had finished speaking one of the wild geese, dropping to the ground, gave up his dead body for the Brethren. The bhikshu went and reported the matter to them, whereupon all were greatly moved. They said among themselves—Ju-lai preached and taught the right thing at the right occasion—with dogged stupidity we have followed the "gradual" teaching—it is the "Great Vehicle" which is the right system and we must give up our former tenets and follow the holy ordinances—this wild goose has come to warn us, and be our true guide, and we must make a lasting memorial of its substantial merit. So the goose was buried, and this tope was erected over its body.