Travels of Fah-Hian and Sung-Yun, Buddhist pilgrims : from China to India (400 A.D. and 518 A.D.) / translated from Chinese by Samuel Beal.

  • Faxian
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Travels of Fah-Hian and Sung-Yun, Buddhist pilgrims : from China to India (400 A.D. and 518 A.D.) / translated from Chinese by Samuel Beal. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    At about ten paces off you may see it, like tlie true resemblance of Buddha, of a golden color, with all its characteristic signs1 perfectly bright and shining. On turning away or going nearer, tlie resemblance to tlie reality becomes less and less distinct. The kings of all the surrounding countries have deputed skilful artists to take a copy of this figure, but they have been unable to accomplish it. A tradition common amongst tlie stooping posture only. All within was dark. Hiouen Thsang, having entered and advanced to the eastern side of the cave, then stepped back fifty paces and halted, keeping his eyes fixed on the east wall. “ Then animated with a profound faith, he made one hundred prostrations, but saw nothing. He bitterly reproached himself for his faults, wept and cried aloud, and gave himself up to grief.” He then recited some sacred texts and prostrated himself anew after each verse. Suddenly there appeared on the east wall a halo of light, large as an alms bowl, but it vanislied instantly. Again it appeared and vanislied. The pilgrim in a transport of enthusiasm and love，swore never to quit the place till he had looked on the shadow. He continued his worship，and after two hundred prostra- tions, suddenly the whole cave was inundated with light, and the shadow of Tathagata (Buddha), of a brilliant whiteness, projected itself on the wall; a dazzling brightness lit up the lineaments of its sacred face. Hiouen Thsang gazed on it for some time, ravished with an ecstacy of delight. The body of Buddha and its robes (Kachaya) [so called from their color (ka^a, green)] were of a yellowish red color. Above his knees all the characteristic beauties exhibited themselves in a brilliant manner, but below the lotus throne on which he sat, there was a sort of glimmering appearance. On the right and left were the shadows of Bodhisatwas and Sramanas, who formed the suite of Buddha. When a light was brought the shadow vanished. Hiouen Thsang then paid his religious offerings and departed” (Jul. i. 81). This cave was originally the abode of the dragon Gopala. Buddha having converted him bequeathed him his shadow as a safeguard and token of affection. 1 The characteristic signs, are certain marks of Buddha’s person, by which lie was distinguished, 108 on each foot, 32 superior signs on his person, 80 inferior signs (M.B. 368).