[Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms by Fa-Hsien]@TWC D-Link bookRecord of Buddhistic Kingdoms CHAPTER XVII 4/15
At all these places topes were made, and are still existing.
At the place where Sakra, Ruler of the Devas, and the king of the Brahma-loka followed Buddha down (from the Trayastrimsas heaven) they have also raised a tope. At this place the monks and nuns may be a thousand, who all receive their food from the common store, and pursue their studies, some of the mahayana and some of the hinayana.
Where they live, there is a white-eared dragon, which acts the part of danapati to the community of these monks, causing abundant harvests in the country, and the enriching rains to come in season, without the occurrence of any calamities, so that the monks enjoy their repose and ease.
In gratitude for its kindness, they have made for it a dragon-house, with a carpet for it to sit on, and appointed for it a diet of blessing, which they present for its nourishment.
Every day they set apart three of their number to go to its house, and eat there.
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