~Soo-ho-to--Legends of Buddha~
In that country also Buddhism is flourishing. There is in it the place
where Sakra, [1] Ruler of Devas, in a former age, tried the Bodhisattva,
by producing a hawk in pursuit of a dove, when the Bodhisattva cut off a
piece of his own flesh, and with it ransomed the dove. After Buddha had
attained to perfect wisdom, and in travelling about with his disciples
arrived at this spot, he informed them that this was the place where he
ransomed the dove with a piece of his own flesh. In this way the people
of the country became aware of the fact, and on the spot reared a tope,
adorned with layers of gold and silver plates.
[Footnote 1: Sakra is a common name for the Brahmanic Indra, adopted by
Buddhism into the circle of its own great adherents;--it has been said,
"because of his popularity." He is now the representative of the secular
power, the valiant protector of the Buddhist body, but is looked upon as
inferior to Sâkyamuni, and every Buddhist saint.]