A Chinese Monk's View of Ancient Sri Lanka

Between the years 629 and 645 AD the famous Chinese monk Xuanzang traveled through Central Asia and India to visit Buddhist sacred places, learn from Indian teachers and collect copies of Buddhist scriptures.

- BHANTE S. DHAMMIKA OF AUSTRALIA

On his return to China, his extraordinary journey made him famous and the emperor himself requested him to write an account of his adventures. The result was a book called ‘A Record of the West Compiled During the Tang Dynasty’ (Da Tang Xi Yu Ji).The ancient Chinese called India ‘the West’ because they thought it lay in that direction from their country. Later, Xuanzang’s disciple Hwui Li, wrote a biography of his beloved teacher in which was included some supplementary information that Xuanzang had given him. Together, these two books tell us much about the most famous Chinese monk of ancient times. To undertake such a long journey, alone, with neither money, knowledge of the language or even a clear idea of where India was, must have required immense courage and commitment. At the same time, Xuanzang’s own words give the impression that he was something of a prig, certain of his own importance and rather sectarian in outlook.

More than once, we see him oblivious to the fact that his pride and argumentativeness were irritating others. However, it is not biographical data that makes A Record of the West and the biography so interesting and important, but the detailed information they give about that lands that Xuanzang traveled through, in particular India. Xuanzang was not just an intrepid traveller and fine scholar, he was also a careful observer, curious about and interested in all he saw. His book tells the historian more about ancient India; its legends and customs, art and architecture, the literature of Buddhism, the location of famous monasteries, how many monks resided in each and what school they adhered to, the politics, religion and everyday life of the people than any single document until modern times.