On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c21.3

v2.c21.3

The narrative in the Records relates that from the monastery of the town *Loh-pan-ni-lo* (Lavaṇanīla?) the pilgrim journeyed east through a mountain forest for more than 200 *li* to the *I-lan-na-po-fa-to* country. This country was above 3000 *li* in circuit, and its capital, which was 20 *li* in circuit, on its north side was close to the Ganges. The region was fertile with a genial climate and inhabitants of honest ways; there were above ten Buddhist monasteries and more than 4000 Brethren the most of whom were Hīnayānists of the Sammitīya school; there were above twenty Deva-temples and the adherents of the various religions lived pell-mell. In recent times the king of a neighbouring state had deposed the ruler and given the capital to the Buddhist Brethren, erecting in the city two monasteries each of which had about 1000 Brethren of the Sarvāstivādin school. Beside the capital and close to the Ganges was the *I-lan-na* mountain, the dark mists of which eclipsed sun and moon; on this an endless succession of rishis had always lodged and their teachings were still preserved in the Deva-temples; moreover the Buddha had lived here, and preached his religion to devas and men. To the south of the capital was a tope where Buddha had preached, and to the west of this was the tope of the bhikshu *Shi-lu-to-pin-shê-ti-kou-ti* (Śrotavimśatikoṭi) at the place where he was born. The pilgrim then relates the well-known legend about this disciple. He then goes on to describe that in the west of this country to the south of the Ganges was a small isolated mountain with two tall summits one above the other. Here the Buddha once kept the Summer Retreat, and reduced to submission the yaksha *Po-ku-lo* (Bakula); at the foot of the south-east ledge were traces of Buddha's sitting on a large rock, above which was a tope. On a rock adjoining this on the south side were traces of the Buddha's water-jar which he had placed on it, the traces being above an inch deep and forming an eight-whorled flower. A short distance to the south-east of the Buddha's sitting-place was a footprint of Bakula, one foot five or six inches long, by seven or eight inches wide and nearly two inches deep. Behind this was a stone sitting image of the Buddha about six feet high; and on the west side of this was an exercise-place of Buddha. On the top of this mountain was the old house of the Yaksha. and to the north of this was a foot-print of Buddha at which was a tope. The Yaksha Bakula when overcome by Buddha promised to give up the killing of human beings and the eating of flesh, he then became a Buddhist, and on his death was reborn in Heaven. To the west of this mountain were six or seven springs the water of which was very hot. In the woods among the mountains in the south of this country were numerous large wild elephants.