DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0409
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APPENDIX B.
Narrative of Hiouen Thsang. Translated hy myself, from the "Memoires
sur les Contrees Occidentals de Hiouen Thsang" of M. Stanislas
Julien, translator of the original Chinese work. Vol. i., pp. 353-376.
KINGDOM OF P'O-LO-NI-SSE.
( Vardnasi).
The kingdom of P'o-lo-ni-sse (Varanasi, Benares) is about four
thousand lis (667 miles)1 in circuit. To'the west, near the Ganges,
is the capital, which is from eighteen to nineteen lis (three miles
and upwards) long, and from five to six lis (about one mile) broad.
The villages lie very near together, and contain a numerous popu-
lation. Families of very great wealth, whose houses are stored
with rare and precious things, axe to be seen. The people are
gentle and polished, and esteem most highly men given to study.
The greater portion of them believe in the heretical doctrines
[Hinduism] ; and few revere the Law [religion] of Buddha. The
climate is temperate, grain is abundant, the fruit-trees are luxuriant,
and the earth is covered with tufted vegetation. There are thirty
[Buddhist] monasteries, containing about three thousand devotees,
who, all, study the principles of the school Tching-liang-pou (the
school of the Sammatiyas), which holds to the Minor Vehicle.1 There
1 Taking the common reckoning of six lis to the mile. M. St. Martin assigns only-
five lis to the mile.
2 According to M. Julien, whose explanation is based on a Chinese Dictionary, the
Buddhists recognize Five Vehicles, that is to say, five means, used by as many classes
of eminent men, for the attainment of beatification.
APPENDIX B.
Narrative of Hiouen Thsang. Translated hy myself, from the "Memoires
sur les Contrees Occidentals de Hiouen Thsang" of M. Stanislas
Julien, translator of the original Chinese work. Vol. i., pp. 353-376.
KINGDOM OF P'O-LO-NI-SSE.
( Vardnasi).
The kingdom of P'o-lo-ni-sse (Varanasi, Benares) is about four
thousand lis (667 miles)1 in circuit. To'the west, near the Ganges,
is the capital, which is from eighteen to nineteen lis (three miles
and upwards) long, and from five to six lis (about one mile) broad.
The villages lie very near together, and contain a numerous popu-
lation. Families of very great wealth, whose houses are stored
with rare and precious things, axe to be seen. The people are
gentle and polished, and esteem most highly men given to study.
The greater portion of them believe in the heretical doctrines
[Hinduism] ; and few revere the Law [religion] of Buddha. The
climate is temperate, grain is abundant, the fruit-trees are luxuriant,
and the earth is covered with tufted vegetation. There are thirty
[Buddhist] monasteries, containing about three thousand devotees,
who, all, study the principles of the school Tching-liang-pou (the
school of the Sammatiyas), which holds to the Minor Vehicle.1 There
1 Taking the common reckoning of six lis to the mile. M. St. Martin assigns only-
five lis to the mile.
2 According to M. Julien, whose explanation is based on a Chinese Dictionary, the
Buddhists recognize Five Vehicles, that is to say, five means, used by as many classes
of eminent men, for the attainment of beatification.