Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)-Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar

About Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)-Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar

• Hieun Tsang (Xuanzang) was a Chinese traveller, scholar and Buddhist monk.
• His travel to India: He travelled from China to India in the 7th century to study at the Nalanda University, collect manuscripts of the true teachings of Buddha, and visit the sacred places associated with Buddha.
  • He studied under the famous scholar Shilabhadra at Nalanda University and learned subjects like logic, grammar, philosophy, and Sanskrit.
  • He spent 16-17 years on his entire journey across Central Asia and India.
  • Visited during the reign of: He came during the reign of King Harshavardhana (also known as King Harsha) of the Vardhana Dynasty.
• Literary contribution: He authored Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, also known as Si-Yu-Ki. (“The Buddhist Records of the Western World”). He referred to Vadnagar, located in Gujarat, as “Anandapura” in his travelogue Si-Yu-Ki.
  • One of the most influential scriptures translated by Xuanzang was the Heart Sutra (Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya Sūtra). It is widely recognised for expressing the Mahāyāna Buddhist teaching of emptiness. It is also regarded as a powerful protective talisman. 
• Significance: 
  • He gave a detailed account of the kingdoms and towns he visited in India, including the city of Kanauj, the capital of King Harsavardhana’s empire.
  • His account is also exceptional because of his meticulous records of Buddhist sites such as Bamiyan and Nalanda.   
  • His account provides insight into the political, diplomatic and religious activities undertaken by contemporary rulers in Central and South Asia.