On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.15

v2.c22.15

The account in the Records proceeds to relate that over the sea some thousands of *li* to the south of the [Sêng-ka-lo or Simhala] country was the *Na-lo-ki-lo-chou* (for Nālikila- or Nārikira-dvīpa, "Cocoa-nut Island"). The inhabitants of this island were dwarfs three feet high with human bodies and bird-beaks; they did not raise any crops and subsisted on cocoa-nuts. Westward from this island, some thousands of *li* over the sea, was an isolated isle. On the cliff which formed the east side of this isle was a stone sitting image of Buddha above 100 feet high facing east, the *ushnisha* of the image being a *yue-ai-pao* or "Moon-loved Pearl" (the Chandrakānta gem). From this rare ornament while the moon shone on it water gushed forth, and falling down the cliff ramified in the valleys. This information had been derived from a shipwrecked trader who had climbed the cliff to make personal examination. To the west of the [Simhala] country, and some thousands of *li* over the sea, was the Great Precious-substances Island, uninhabited by human beings, but a temporary lodging-place for supernatural creatures. From this island a bright light shines far out on calm nights, but traders who visit the island do not get anything.