The members of the royal family in appearance resemble the people of the Middle Country (China). They wear on their heads a square cap, and their clothes are like those of the Hu people (U'ighurs). In after-ages these people fell under the power of the barbarians, who kept their country in their power.

When Asoka-raja was in the world he built in this palace a sMpa. Afterwards, when the king changed his residence to the north-east angle of the royal precinct, he built in this old palace a saiighdr&ma for the sake of Kumaralabdha (T'ong-shiu). The towers of this building are high {and its halls) wide. There is in it a figure of Buddha of majestic appearance. The venerable Kumaralabdha was a native of Takshas'ila. From his childhood he showed a rare intelligence, and in early life gave up the world. He allowed his mind to wander through the sacred texts, and let his spirit indulge itself in profound reveries. Daily he recited 32,000 words and wrote 32,000 letters. In this way he was able to surpass all his contemporaries, and to establish his renown beyond the age in which he lived. He settled the true law, and overcame false doctrine, and distinguished himself by the brilliancy of his discussion. There was no difficulty which he could not overcome. All the men of the five Indies came to see him, and assigned him the highest rank. He composed many tens of idstras. These were much renowned and studied by all. He was the founder of the Sautrantika (King-pu) school.

At this time in the east was Asvaghosha, in the south D&va, in the west Nagarjuna, in the north Kumara^ labdha. These four were called the four sons that illu

Chln or Machin (Mah&chin ?). They settled at Kung, some distance north-east of Khutan. See Bellew, History of Kashgar (chap. Hi., Forsyth's Report). The fame of Kaikhusro (Gyrus) as a hero-child of the sun seems to agree with the miraculous birth and conquests of the child

whose birth is narrated in the text. I may add that a consideration of the circumstances connected with the history of the Persian (Iranian) and Turanian tribes confirms me in the opinion that the Tu-ho-lu of Hiuen Tsiang refers to the Turanian people, and not to the Turks (so-called).

mined the world. The king of this country, therefore, having heard of the honourable one (Kumdralabdha) and his great qualities, raised an army to attack Takshaslla, and carried him off by force. He then built this sanghdrdma.

Going south-east 300 li or so from the city, we come to a great rocky scarp in which two chambers are excavated, in each of which is an Arhat plunged in complete ecstasy. They are sitting upright, and they could be moved but with difficulty. Their appearance is shrivelled, but their skin and bones still survive. Though 700 years have elapsed, their hair still grows, and because of this the priests cut their hair every year and change their clothes.

To the north-east of. the great crag after going 200 li or so along the mountain-side and the precipices, we come to a Punyasdld (a hospice).

In the midst of four mountains belonging to the eastern chain of the T'sung-ling mountains there is a space comprising some hundred Wing {thousand acres). In this, both during summer and winter, there fall down piles of snow; the cold winds and icy storms rage. The ground, impregnated with salt, produces no crops; there are no trees and nothing but scrubby underwood. Even at the time of great heat the wind and the snow continue. Scarcely have travellers entered this region when they find themselves surrounded by vapour from the snow. Merchant bands, caravans, in coming and going suffer severely in these difficult and dangerous spots.

The old story says: "Formerly there was a troop of merchants, who, with their followers, amounted to 10,000 or so, with many thousand camels. They were occupied in transporting their goods and getting profit. They were assailed by wind and snow, and both men and beasts perished.

As this time there was a great Arhat who belonged to the kingdom of Kie-p'an-to, who, taking a wide look, saw them in their danger, and being moved by pity, desired to exert his spiritual power for their rescue; tut ■when he arrived they were already dead. On this he collected the precious objects that lay scattered about and constructed a house, and gathering in this all the wealth he could, he bought the neighbouring land and built- houses in the bordering cities for the accommodation of travellers, and now merchantmen and travellers enjoy the benefit of his beneficence.

Going north-east from this, descending the T'sung-ling mountains to the eastward, after passing dangerous defiles and deep valleys, and traversing steep and dangerous roads, assailed at every step by snow and wind, after going 100 li or so, we emerge from the T'sung-ling mountains and come to the kingdom of U-sha.

U-SHA (och).

This kingdom is about ioooli in circuit; the chief town is about 10 li round. On the south it borders on the river Sita. The soil is rich and productive; it is regularly cultivated and yields abundant harvests. The trees and forests spread their foliage afar, and flowers and fruits abound. This country produces jade of different sorts in great quantities; white jade, black, and green. The climate is soft and agreeable; the winds and rain follow in their season; the manners of the people are not much in keeping with the principles of politeness. The men are naturally hard and uncivilised; they are greatly given to falsehood, and few of them have any feeling of shame. Their language and writing are nearly the same as those of Kie-sha. Their personal appearance is low and repulsive. Their clothes are made of skins and woollen stuffs. However, they have a firm faith in the law of Buddha and greatly honour him. There are some ten saHghdrdmas, with somewhat less than iooo priests. They study the Little Vehicle according to the school of the Sarvastiv&das. For some centuries the royal line has been extinct. They have no ruler of their own, but are in dependence on the country of K'ie-p'an-to.

Two hundred li or so to the west of the city we come to a great mountain. This mountain is covered with brooding vapours, which hang like clouds above the rocks. The crags rise one above another, and seem as if about to fall where they are suspended. On the mountain top is erected a sttipa of a wonderful and mysterious character. This is the old story:—Many centuries ago this mountain suddenly opened; in the middle was seen a Bhikshu, with closed eyes, sitting; his body was of gigantic stature and his form was dried up ; his hair descended low on his shoulders and enshrouded his face. A hunter having caught sight of him, told the king. The king in person went to see him and to pay him homage. All the men of the. town came spontaneously to burn incense and offer flowers as religious tribute to him. Then the king said, "What man is this of such great stature?" Then there was a Bhikshu who said in reply, "This man with his hair descending over his shoulders and clad in a Jcashdya garment is an Arhat who has entered the samddhi which produces extinction of mind. Those who enter this kind of samddhi have to await a certain signal (or period); some say that if they hear the sound of the ghantd they awake; others, if they see the shining of the sun, then this is a signal for them to arouse themselves from their ecstasy; in the absence of such signal, they rest unmoved and quiet, whilst the power of their ecstasy keeps their bodies from destruction. When they come from their trance after their long fast, the body ought to be well »rubbed with oil and the limbs made supple with soft applications; after this the ghantd may be sounded to restore the mind plunged in samddhi." The king said, "Let it be done," and then he sounded the gong.

Scarcely had the sound died away, but the Arhat, recognising the signal, looking down on them from on high

VOL. II. u

for a long time; at length said, "What creatures are you with forms so small and mean, clothed with brown robes?" They answered, "We are Bhikshus!" He said, "And where now dwells my master, Kasyapa TatMgata?" They replied, "He has entered the great nirvana for a long time past." Having heard this, he shut his eyes, as a man disappointed and ready to die. Then suddenly he asked again, "Has Sakya Tathagata come into the world?" "He has been born, and having guided the world spiritually, he has also entered nirvdna." Hearing this, he bowed his head, and so remained for a long time. Then rising up into the air, he exhibited spiritual transformations, and at last he was consumed by fire and his bones fell to the ground. The king having collected them, raised over them this stiXpa.

Going north from this country, and traversing the rocky mountains and desert plains for 500 li or so, we come to the country of Kie-sha.60

Kie-sha (kashgar).

The country of Kie-sha is about 5000 li in circuit. It has much sandy and stony soil, and very little loam. It is regularly cultivated and is productive. Flowers and fruits are abundant. Its manufactures are a fine kind of twilled haircloth, and carpets of a fine texture and skilfully woven. The climate is soft and agreeable; the winds and rain regularly succeed each other. The disposition, of the men is fierce and impetuous, and they are mostly false and deceitful. They make light of decorum' and politeness, and esteem learning but little. Their custom is when a child is bom to compress his head with a board of wood.61 Their appearance is common and ignoble. They paint (mark) their

50 Anciently called Su-li: this (Srikritati). The sound Su-li is coralso is the name of its chief city; rupt.—Ch. Ed. the full name is Shi-li-ki-li-to-ti 01 See vol. i. p. 19, n. 60.