DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0411
368 APPENDIX B.
each of them containing a statue of Buddha, in embossed gold. In
the centre of this Vihara stands a statue of Buddha, in Teou-chi
(brass). It has exactly the height of Jou-lai (the Tathagata), who
is represented turning the Wheel of the Law [i.e., preaching].-
To the south-west of the Vihara is a stone Stupa, erected by king
Wou-yeou (Asoka). Although its base is embedded in the earth,
it has about a hundred feet of elevation. In front of this monu-
ment, a stone column has been set up, some seventy feet high-
The stone is smooth as jade, and shines like a mirror. Those who
pray fervently discern in it a multitude of figures ; on all occa-
sions, every one sees there images that answer to his virtues or his
vices. It was at this spot that Jou-lai (the Tathagata), after having
attained to perfect knowledge, began to turn the Wheel of the Law.
The Stupa on the side of the aforesaid marks the place where
'O-jo-Tciao-tch'in-jou ('Ajnata Kaundinya),.etc. [the other companions
of Buddha], having seen the Pou-sa (the Bodhisattwa) relinquish
his austerities, suddenly desisted from following him and from
watching over his safety. Having arrived at this place, they gavo
themselves up to meditation.
The Stupa on the side of that last-mentioned occupies the site
where five hundred Pratyeka-Buddhas (To-Mo) entered Nie-pan
(Nirvana) together. There are, also, three other Stupas. The three
last Buddhas reposed on that spot, and there walked for exercise.
To the side of the place where the three Buddhas walked for
exercise there is a Stupa. It was there that Mei-ta-li-ye-pou-sa
(Maitreya Bodhisattwa) received a prediction announcing that he
should attain to Buddhahood. Of yore, when Jou-lai (the Tatha-
gata) was at Bajagriha (Wang-che-tching), on [Mount] Yulture-Peak
(Gridhrakuta), he addressed the Pi-tsou (Bhikhshus) as follows :
" In coming ages, when the inhabitants of this island of Tehen-pou
shall have become just and upright, and when men shall attain a
longevity of eighty thousand years, a Po-lo-men (Brahman) child
named T'se-cM (Maitreya) will be born there. His body will be
of the colour of the purest gold, and will shed abroad a lustrous radi-
ance. He will renounce his family, will attain to superior knowledge
(Paramabodhi), and, at three great synods, will expound the Law for
the behoof of all men. Those whom he will convert and save are
each of them containing a statue of Buddha, in embossed gold. In
the centre of this Vihara stands a statue of Buddha, in Teou-chi
(brass). It has exactly the height of Jou-lai (the Tathagata), who
is represented turning the Wheel of the Law [i.e., preaching].-
To the south-west of the Vihara is a stone Stupa, erected by king
Wou-yeou (Asoka). Although its base is embedded in the earth,
it has about a hundred feet of elevation. In front of this monu-
ment, a stone column has been set up, some seventy feet high-
The stone is smooth as jade, and shines like a mirror. Those who
pray fervently discern in it a multitude of figures ; on all occa-
sions, every one sees there images that answer to his virtues or his
vices. It was at this spot that Jou-lai (the Tathagata), after having
attained to perfect knowledge, began to turn the Wheel of the Law.
The Stupa on the side of the aforesaid marks the place where
'O-jo-Tciao-tch'in-jou ('Ajnata Kaundinya),.etc. [the other companions
of Buddha], having seen the Pou-sa (the Bodhisattwa) relinquish
his austerities, suddenly desisted from following him and from
watching over his safety. Having arrived at this place, they gavo
themselves up to meditation.
The Stupa on the side of that last-mentioned occupies the site
where five hundred Pratyeka-Buddhas (To-Mo) entered Nie-pan
(Nirvana) together. There are, also, three other Stupas. The three
last Buddhas reposed on that spot, and there walked for exercise.
To the side of the place where the three Buddhas walked for
exercise there is a Stupa. It was there that Mei-ta-li-ye-pou-sa
(Maitreya Bodhisattwa) received a prediction announcing that he
should attain to Buddhahood. Of yore, when Jou-lai (the Tatha-
gata) was at Bajagriha (Wang-che-tching), on [Mount] Yulture-Peak
(Gridhrakuta), he addressed the Pi-tsou (Bhikhshus) as follows :
" In coming ages, when the inhabitants of this island of Tehen-pou
shall have become just and upright, and when men shall attain a
longevity of eighty thousand years, a Po-lo-men (Brahman) child
named T'se-cM (Maitreya) will be born there. His body will be
of the colour of the purest gold, and will shed abroad a lustrous radi-
ance. He will renounce his family, will attain to superior knowledge
(Paramabodhi), and, at three great synods, will expound the Law for
the behoof of all men. Those whom he will convert and save are