On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c20.65

v2.c20.65

The pilgrim proceeds to relate that to the left of the north gate of the mountain city on the north of the south cliff there, going east two or three *li*, you come to the large cave in which, Devadatta went into Samādhi. Near this was a flat rock, stained as if with blood, and beside it was a tope. This was the spot at which a bhikshu, practising samādhi, committed suicide, attaining arhatship in the act. We have then the story of this desponding bhikshu's proceeding. To the east of this spot, on a cliff, was a stone tope to commemorate the suicide of another bhikshu in order to attain arhatship. The pilgrim then narrates the circumstances of this suicide, telling how the Buddha wrought a miracle to encourage and help the fervent bhikshu in accomplishing his pious design.