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we do not all die here；〃 and with these words he died。＇3＇ Fa…hien stroked
the corpse； and cried out piteously； 〃Our original plan has failed；it is
fate。＇4＇ What can we do？〃 He then again exerted himself； and they
succeeded in crossing to the south of the range； and arrived in the kingdom
of Lo…e；＇5＇ where there were nearly three thousand monks； students of
both the mahayana and hinayana。 Here they stayed for the summer
retreat；＇6＇ and when that was over； they went on to the south； and ten days'
journey brought them to the kingdom of Poh…na；＇7＇ where there are also
more than three thousand monks； all students of the hinayana。 Proceeding
from this place for three days； they again crossed the Indus； where the
country on each side was low and level。＇8＇
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NOTES
＇1＇ These must have been Tao…ching and Hwuy…king。
＇2＇ Probably the Safeid Koh； and on the way to the Kohat pass。
＇3＇ All the texts have Kwuy…king。 See chapter xii； note 13。
＇4＇ A very natural exclamation； but out of place and inconsistent from
the lips of Fa…hien。 The Chinese character ｛。｝； which he employed； may be
rendered rightly by 〃fate〃 or 〃destiny；〃 but the fate is not unintelligent。
The term implies a factor； or fa…tor； and supposes the ordination of Heaven
or God。 A Confucian idea for the moment overcame his Buddhism。
＇5＇ Lo…e； or Rohi； is a name for Afghanistan； but only a portion of it
can be here intended。
＇6＇ We are now therefore in 404。
＇7＇ No doubt the present district of Bannu； in the Lieutenant…
Governorship of the Punjab； between 32d 10s and 33d 15s N。 lat。； and 70d
26s and 72d E。 lon。 See Hunter's Gazetteer of India； i； p。 393。
＇8＇ They had then crossed the Indus before。 They had done so； indeed；
twice； first； from north to south； at Skardo or east of it； and second； as
described in chapter vii。
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CHAPTER XV
BHIDA。 SYMPATHY OF MONKS WITH THE PILGRIMS。
After they had crossed the river； there was a country named Pe… t'oo；＇1＇
where Buddhism was very flourishing； and （the monks） studied both the
mahayana and hinayana。 When they saw their fellow…disciples from Ts'in
passing along； they were moved with great pity and sympathy； and
expressed themselves thus： 〃How is it that these men from a border…land
should have learned to become monks；＇2＇ and come for the sake of our
doctrines from such a distance in search of the Law of Buddha？〃 They
supplied them with what they needed； and treated them in accordance with
the rules of the Law。
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NOTES
＇1＇ Bhida。 Eitel says； 〃The present Punjab；〃 i。e。 it was a portion of that。
＇2＇ 〃To come forth from their families；〃 that is； to become celibates；
and adopt the tonsure。
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CHAPTER XVI
ON TO MATHURA OR MUTTRA。 CONDITION AND CUSTOMS
OF CENTRAL INDIA； OF THE MONKS； VIHARAS； AND
MONASTERIES。
From this place they travelled south…east； passing by a succession of
very many monasteries； with a multitude of monks； who might be counted
by myriads。 After passing all these places； they came to a country named
Ma…t'aou…lo。＇1＇ They still followed the course of the P'oo…na＇2＇ river； on
the banks of which； left and right； there were twenty monasteries； which
might contain three thousand monks； and （here） the Law of Buddha was
still more flourishing。 Everywhere； from the Sandy Desert； in all the
countries of India； the kings had been firm believers in that Law。 When
they make their offerings to a community of monks； they take off their
royal caps； and along with their relatives and ministers； supply them with
food with their own hands。 That done； （the king） has a carpet spread for
himself on the ground； and sits down in front of the chairman；they dare
not presume to sit on couches in front of the community。 The laws and
ways； according to which the kings presented their offerings when Buddha
was in the world； have been handed down to the present day。
All south from this is named the Middle Kingdom。＇3＇ In it the cold
and heat are finely tempered； and there is neither hoarfrost nor snow。 The
people are numerous and happy； they have not to register their households；
or attend to any magistrates and their rules； only those who cultivate the
royal land have to pay （a portion of） the grain from it。 If they want to go；
they go； if they want to stay on； they stay。 The king governs without
decapitation or （other） corporal punishments。 Criminals are simply fined；
lightly or heavily； according to the circumstances （of each case）。 Even in
cases of repeated attempts at wicked rebellion； they only have their right
hands cut off。 The king's body…guards and attendants all have salaries。
Throughout the whole country the people do not kill any living creature；
nor drink intoxicating liquor； nor eat onions or garlic。 The only exception
is that of the Chandalas。＇4＇ That is the name for those who are （held to be）
wicked men； and live apart from others。 When they enter the gate of a city
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or a market…place； they strike a piece of wood to make themselves known；
so that men know and avoid them； and do not come into contact with them。
In that country they do not keep pigs and fowls； and do not sell live cattle；
in the markets there are no butchers' shops and no dealers in intoxicating
drink。 In buying and selling commodities they use cowries。＇5＇ Only the
Chandalas are fishermen and hunters； and sell flesh meat。
After Buddha attained to pari…nirvana；＇6＇ the kings of the various
countries and the heads of the Vaisyas＇7＇ built viharas for the priests； and
endowed them with fields； houses； gardens； and orchards； along with the
resident populations and their cattle； the grants being engraved on plates of
metal；＇8＇ so that afterwards they were handed down from king to king；
without any daring to annul them； and they remain even to the present
time。
The regular business of the monks is to perform acts of meritorious
virtue； and to recite their Sutras and sit wrapt in meditation。 When stranger
monks arrive （at any monastery）； the old residents meet and receive them；
carry for them their clothes and alms…bowl； give them water to wash their
feet； oil with which to anoint them； and the liquid food permitted out of
the regular hours。＇9＇ When （the stranger） has enjoyed a very brief rest；
they further ask the number of years that he has been a monk； after which
he receives a sleeping apartment with its appurtenances； according to his
regular order； and everything is done for him which the rules
prescribe。＇10＇
Where a com