He made a
cleft, and went down into it, though the place where he entered would
not now admit a man. Having gone down very far, there was a hole on one
side, and there the complete body of Kasyapa still abides. Outside the
hole at which he entered is the earth with which he had washed his
hands. If the people living thereabouts have a sore on their heads, they
plaster on it some of the earth from this, and feel immediately easier.
On this mountain, now as of old, there are Arhats abiding. Devotees of
our Law from the various countries in that quarter go year by year to
the mountain, and present offerings to Kasyapa; and to those whose
hearts are strong in faith there come Arhats at night, and talk with
them, discussing and explaining their doubts, and disappearing suddenly
afterwards.
On this hill hazels grow luxuriantly; and there are many lions, tigers,
and wolves, so that people should not travel incautiously.
CHAPTER XXXIV
~On the Way Returning to Patna~
Fa-Hien returned from here towards Pataliputtra, keeping along the
course of the Ganges and descending in the direction of the west. After
going ten yojanas he found a vihara, named "The Wilderness"--a place
where Buddha had dwelt, and where there are monks now.
Pursuing the same course, and going still to the west, he arrived, after
twelve yojanas, at the city of Varanasi in the kingdom of Kasi.
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