On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s15: Mou-Lo-San-Pu-Lu
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c22.s15
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Mou-Lo-San-Pu-Lu
v2.c22.s15.1
The narrative in the Records proceeds to tell that Yuan-chuang from Sindh went east above 900 *li* and crossing to the east bank of the Indus came to the *Mou-lo-san-pu-lu* country. This country was above 4000 *li* and its capital above 30 *li* in circuit; it was a dependency of the *Che-ka* (Teka) country. It had a good soil and a mild climate; it had upright inhabitants who liked learning and led moral lives, but only a few of them were Buddhists. Of above ten monasteries most were in ruins and only a few had Brethren. Among the temples of other religions was a magnificent one to the Sun-deva; the image was of gold ornamented with precious substances, it had marvellous powers and its merits had extended far; there was a constant succession of females performing music, lights were kept burning all night, and incense and flowers were continually offered; the kings and grandees of all India gave precious substances as religious offerings and erected free Rest-houses with food, drink, and medicine for the sick and needy. At this temple there were constantly 1000 pilgrims from various lands offering up prayers. All round the temple were tanks and flowery woods making a delightful resort.
v2.c22.s15.2
The *Mou-lo-san-pu-lu* of this passage has been tentatively restored by Julien as Mulasambhura, but this does not seem to be quite correct. It is better, however, than the Mūlasthānipura of St. Martin and others, which is evidently an impossible restoration.² This Mūlasthānipura is the modern Multan which is far to the *north* of Sindh, whereas the *Mou-lo-san-pu-lu* of the Records is 900 *li* (about 180 miles) to the east of that country. The Chinese characters seem to represent a word like Morasampuru or Molasampul, the name not being necessarily a pure Sanskrit word. The Teka country to which this district was subject has already been mentioned in *Chuan* IV (above Vol. 1, pp. 286—291). This Mou-lo-san-pu-lu country was probably commonly known by some other name.
v2.c22.s15.3
² See Julien II, p. 410; A. G. I. p. 281 ff.