Xuanzang and the Silk Route

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China as we know is a great civilization and Xuazang’s (who is popularly known as Hsuan-tsang) visit to Indian was a great event. The noted Chinese traveler and Buddhist pilgrim, Xuanzang, reached Indian in AD 630, having undertaken arduous journey across central Asia. A Chinese emperor called him "the jewel of the empire." Nearly fourteen years of his life (from AD 630 to AD 644) were spent visiting Buddhist temples and monasteries, cities and places of interest in the Indian subcontinent. He was a keen observer of men and affairs. Apart from being a devout monk, he has left behind a fascinating and authentic account of India’s history, geography, economy, and society of the times when King Harsha (AD 606-47) ruled over Northen India. This volume contains articles on the life and achievement of Xuanzang. Dharmamaster Xuanzang came to India particularly in search of Buddhist texts which were not available in China. He studies his favourite text Yogacarabhumisastra under the famous teacher Shilabhadra of Nalanda. He was a great recorded of historical sites of the Silk Route. His description of the Silk Route countries in Afghanistan and Gandhara are valuable for the political and cultural history of these lands. The study of bamiyan monasteries and colossal Buddhas have inspired Art historians to make a thorough study of the Cultural history of Afghanistan.

The articles in this present volume show; through wide range of studies, not only Xuanzang’s love and knowledge of Buddhism, but only an account of various countries and their cultural heritage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lokesh Chandra

Prof. Lokesh Chandra is a renowned scholar of Tibetan, Mongolian and Sino-Japanese Buddhism. He has to his credit over 400 works and text editions. Among them are classics like his Tibetan-Sanskrit Dictionary, Materials for a History of Tibetan Literature, Buddhist Iconography of Tibet, and the present Dictionary of Buddhist Art in about 20 volumes. Prof. Lokesh Chandra was nominated by the President of the Republic of India to the Parliament in 1974-80 and again in 1980-86. He has been a Vice-President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. Presently he is Director, International Academy of Indian Culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Radha Banerjee

Dr. Radha Banerjee is a senior research officer of kalakosha division of IGNCA. She is a student of Buddhism and Buddhist Art. She has published several articles on Indian and Chinese Buddhist art in international journals and a book entitled Astamahabodhisattva in Art and Literature. At present she is working on her forthcoming book on Avalokitesvara â€“A Syncretic Deity and Indiaâ€™s Contribution to the Art and Culture of central Asia. She is also the Executive Editor of IGNCAâ€™s research Journal Kalakalpa.