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Faxian's Journey West for Buddhist Scriptures

Type Event Region East Asia Time 399–414

The eminent Eastern Jin monk Faxian departed Chang'an in 399 CE, reaching India via the overland route through the Western Regions, visiting Buddhist…

Timeline

  1. 399–402Chang'an · ShaanxiFaxian and his companions set out from Chang'an seeking complete Vinaya texts, entering the Western Regions via the Hexi Corridor, overcoming the hardships of war and desert on their overland journey west.
  2. 402–405Gandhara · South AsiaFaxian passed through the countries of Central Asia, crossed the Hindu Kush into northern India, examining Buddhist remains and monastic communities along the way, and recording differences in Vinaya transmission in various regions.
  3. 405–411Sarnath · Uttar PradeshFaxian traveled to holy sites such as Sarnath, Rajgir, and Bodh Gaya in India, studied Sanskrit scriptures, and witnessed the flourishing of Buddhist monasteries under the Gupta golden age.
  4. 411–414Sinhalese Kingdom (Sri Lanka) to Qingzhou · Sri LankaFaxian sailed from the southern tip of India, returning via the Simhalese kingdom and the Southern Sea, landing in Qingzhou, bringing back Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts and the Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, providing important material for the compilation of Vinaya in the Central Plains.

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