Faxian

Timeline

1. c. 337–399Pingyang · HedongBorn in Pingyang and orphaned of his father at three, he later became a monk, often lamenting the incomplete Vinaya and vowing to go west for complete precepts and Sanskrit sutras.
2. 399–411Western Regions to central India · IndiaSetting out from Chang'an with Huijing and several other monks, he crossed deserts, passed through more than thirty kingdoms, reached Magadha, Mathura and other places, studying precepts and seeking Sanskrit manuscripts over more than ten years.
3. 411–413Simhala to Qingzhou · QingzhouHe sailed home from Simhala (Sri Lanka), enduring storms and perils, reaching Qingzhou around 413 with Sanskrit texts including the Mahasanghika Vinaya and Samyukta Agama, later joining translation work in Jiankang and elsewhere.
4. 414–422Jiankang · JiankangAfter returning he translated sutras at Daochang Temple and elsewhere and wrote the Record of the Buddhist Kingdoms (Record of the Kingdom of India), detailing the geography, sanghas and Buddhism of the Western Regions and Indian kingdoms, a celebrated work on Chinese-foreign communications.