Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller, and translator from the 7th century. He is remembered for his seminal contributions to Chinese Buddhism, the travelogue of his journey to India from 629 to 645 CE, his efforts to bring over 657 Indian texts to China, and his translations of some of these texts. Hiuen Tsang, also known as Xuanzang, also gathered Buddhist texts during the reign of King Harsha Vardhan. From his famous book Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Record of the Western World”, many details of administrative, political, religious, economic, and social conditions during those days in India can be found. Here we will discuss more Hiuen Tsang, which will be useful to understand how foreigners viewed India from their perspective during ancient times. This article will help the UPSC Civil Service aspirants to cover ‘India through the eyes of Foreign Travellers’ in detail.

Hiuen Tsang (602 CE - 664 CE)

• Hiuen Tsang was born in 600 A.D. in Guoshi Town Luozhou (near present-day Luoyang, Henan) and died in 664 A.D. in China.
• He was the youngest of four children, and his family had a long history of intellectual prowess.
• He had a classical education before adopting Buddhism. In 629, troubled by discrepancies in sacred texts, he travelled to India to study religion at its source.
• He travelled Central Asia on foot and landed in India in the year 630 and went to the famed Nalanda monastery in India to study.
• During his tenure in India, Hiuen Tsang paid a visit to Assam (Kamarupa) in 642- 43 A.D and attended King Bhaskar Varman's court.

Hiuen Tsang in India

• Tang China and the Gokturks were at war in AD 627, and Tang Emperor Taizong had banned foreign travel.
• Hiuen Tsang managed to escape the empire in 629 by persuading the Buddhist guards at Yumen Pass to let him pass through Liangzhou (Gansu) and Qinghai.
• He crossed the Gobi Desert to Hami City (then Kumul), then went west to the Tian Shan.
• He encountered the king of Turpan, a Buddhist, in AD 630, who helped him prepare for his journeys.
• His painting 'travel to the west' (Si-Yu-Ki) showed China's hottest peak, the Flaming Mountains near Turpan.
• He travelled to Central Asia (covering Kyrgyzstan, Tashkent, Samarkand in Uzbekistan) and also passed through the Iron Gate and the Pamir Mountain (a mountain range that runs across Central Asia, South Asia, and East Asia, where the Himalayas meet the Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and the Hindu Kush).
• Upon his arrival in Afghanistan, he visited several Buddhist temples and relics, including the Nava Vihara, the world's westernmost vihara (as described by Hiuen Tsang).
• He met the monk Dharma Simha in Afghanistan and discovered over 3,000 non-Mahayana monks, including Prajnakara, with whom Hiuen Tsang studied early Buddhist writings.
• He also got his hands on the significant Mahavibhasa manuscript, which he eventually translated into Chinese.
• Hiuen Tsang travelled to Central Afghanistan with Prajnakara and visited dozens of non-Mahayana monasteries as well as two gigantic Bamiyan Buddhas carved out of the rockface.
• Resuming their journey, they arrived at Kabul, where they discovered over 100 monasteries and 6000 monks, most of whom were Mahayana.
• Xuanzang arrived in Gandhara (then the north-west Indian subcontinent), which is now Pakistan and Afghanistan, around AD 630. He encountered the first Jains and Hindus he would meet on his tour here.
• He observed several Stupas on his way out of Adinapur (now Jalalabad in Afghanistan), passed the Khyber Pass, and arrived at Purushapura, the capital of Gandhara (Now Peshawar in Pakistan). He came upon the Kanishka Stupa here.
• He crossed Swat Valley and arrived at Uddayana, where he saw 1,400-year-old monasteries that had housed 18,000 monks.
• He crossed the Indus River at Hund and arrived at Taxila, on his way to Burner Valley and Shahbaz Grahi. Due to strife among local kings, Hiuen Tsang discovered most of the Sangharamas (temples and monasteries) in Taxila damaged and deserted.
• When Xuanzang arrived in Kashmir in AD 631, he discovered over 100 monasteries and over 5,000 monks.
• Xuanzang travelled through Chiniot and Lahore before arriving at Matipura in AD 634. (known as Mandawar today near Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh). Xuanzang studied under Mitrasena at Matipura Monastery.
• Jalandhar in Punjab, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Bairat in Rajasthan, and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh are among the sites he visited in India.
• Xuanzang travelled south to Kannauj, the splendid capital of the northern Indian King Harsha Vardhan's dominion, crossing the rivers Yamuna, Shrughna, and the Ganga.
• Hiuen Tsang saw 100 monasteries with 10,000 monks (both Mahayana and non-Mahayana) in this area and was pleased by King Harsha's support for both scholarship and Buddhism. He studied early Buddhist scriptures in the city for a while.
• Givishan (Kashipur), Ayodhaya, the seat of the Yogacara school, and Koshambi were among the cities Xuanzang visited during Harsha's reign in AD 636. He then travelled north to Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti and finally to Nepal's Terai.
• Kapilavastu was his final visit before arriving in Lumbini (the birthplace of Buddha).
• Hiuen Tsang left Lumbini in the year 637 and travelled to Kushinagar, Sarnath, Varanasi, Vaishali, Patiputra (Patna), and Bodh Gaya. He also paid a visit to Bhagalpur's Champa Monastery.
• Hiuen Tsang studied for around five years at Nalanda, the major Indian university in Bihar at the time.
• During his time in Nalanda, Hiuen Tsang studied logic, grammar, Sanskrit, and the Yogacara school of Buddhism. Xuanzang met the venerable Silabhadra at Nalanda (expert of Yogacara teaching and personal teacher of Hiuen Tsang).
• Xuanzang found eleven commentaries on Vasubandhu while studying Buddhism in India at Nland University.
• Hiuen Tsang journeyed from Nalanda to Bangladesh, where he discovered 20 monasteries with nearly 3,000 monks learning both the Hinayana and Mahayana. He discovered around 700 Mahayana monks from all across East India in the Vasibha Monastery.
• He next visited viharas in Amravati and Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh (formerly Andhradesa).
• He studied the 'Abhidhamma Pitaka' manuscripts at Amravati and resumed his journey to Kanchi, the Pallavas' imperial capital and a prominent Buddhist hub. He visited Nasik, Ajanta, Malwa, Multan, and Pravata before returning to Nalanda.
• Xuanzang travelled east to the ancient city of Pragjyotishpura in the kingdom of Kamarupa at the invitation of Assamese ruler Kumar Bhaskar Varman (now Guwahati).
• He visited Sylhet (a contemporary city in Bangladesh) before heading to Kamarupa and gave a thorough assessment of the culture and people of Sylhet.
• Hiuen Tsang was taken back to Kannauj at the invitation of King Harshavardhana to attend a major Buddhist Assembly. Neighbouring rulers, Buddhist monks, Brahmans, and Jains all attended the meeting.
• Hiuen Tsang was also invited by King Harsha to the Kumbh Mela at Prayag, where he observed King Harsha's lavish gift-giving to the destitute. The king then gave him a spectacular goodbye.
• Following travelling via the Khyber Pass, Hindu Kush, Kashgar, Khotan, and Dunhuang, Xuanzang returned to China and landed at Chang'an on the 7th day of the first month of AD 645, after a 16-year journey.

Conclusion

During the reign of Emperor Harsha, the Chinese explorer Hiuen Tsang paid for a journey to India. He went on a trip during that time (AD 627-643). When he returned to China, he authored his book 'Si-yu-ki,' or 'Record of the Western Countries,' which included a thorough description of India under Harsha's rule.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary purpose of Hiuen Tsang's journey to India?

A) To trade goods
B) To acquire Buddhist texts
C) To establish diplomatic relations
D) To explore new territories

2. Which educational institution did Hiuen Tsang extensively document during his travels?

A) Nalanda University
B) Takshashila
C) Vikramshila
D) Kashi Vidyapeeth

3. What type of Buddhism did Hiuen Tsang promote in China after his return?

A) Theravada Buddhism
B) Mahayana Buddhism
C) Zen Buddhism
D) Tibetan Buddhism

4. What challenges did Hiuen Tsang face during his journey?

A) Political conflicts
B) Natural disasters
C) Geographical obstacles and bandit attacks
D) Language barriers

5. Which text is Hiuen Tsang known for writing based on his travels?

A) The Lotus Sutra
B) Great Tang Records on the Western Regions
C) The Heart Sutra
D) The Mahayana Sutras

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the impact of Hiuen Tsang’s travels on the understanding of ancient Indian culture and Buddhism. What insights did his writings provide?

Answer: Hiuen Tsang’s travels had a profound impact on the understanding of ancient Indian culture and Buddhism. His detailed accounts, documented in "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions," provide invaluable insights into the social, political, and religious fabric of 7th century India. Hiuen Tsang's observations on the flourishing of Buddhist monastic life and educational institutions like Nalanda illustrate the prominence of Buddhism as a pivotal element of Indian culture. His descriptions of the various practices, rituals, and philosophical debates provide modern scholars with a nuanced understanding of the diverse interpretations of Buddhism during that period. Additionally, Hiuen Tsang's records of the interactions between different religious communities highlight the syncretic nature of Indian society, showcasing how Buddhism coexisted and interacted with Hinduism and Jainism. His writings serve as crucial primary sources for historians studying the cultural exchanges between India and China, contributing significantly to the historiography of both civilizations.

Q2: Analyze the contributions of Hiuen Tsang in promoting cultural exchange between India and China. What were the long-term effects of his journey?

Answer: Hiuen Tsang's contributions to cultural exchange between India and China were substantial and enduring. His journey facilitated the transmission of Buddhist teachings and texts to China, enriching the spiritual landscape of East Asia. Upon his return, Hiuen Tsang translated numerous Buddhist texts into Chinese, making them accessible to a wider audience and thus promoting the growth of Mahayana Buddhism in China. His interactions with Indian scholars and monks not only enhanced his understanding of Buddhism but also established a framework for future scholars to engage with Indian philosophical thought. The long-term effects of Hiuen Tsang's journey can be seen in the solidified relationship between India and China, where Buddhist philosophy became a vital component of Chinese culture. His legacy continues to influence contemporary scholarship on Buddhism and intercultural exchanges, highlighting the significance of Hiuen Tsang as a cultural ambassador.

Q3: Evaluate the historical significance of Hiuen Tsang's accounts in understanding the socio-political landscape of India during his time. How do his observations contribute to modern historical studies?

Answer: Hiuen Tsang's accounts hold immense historical significance in understanding the socio-political landscape of India during the 7th century CE. His meticulous documentation of the various kingdoms, their rulers, and the political dynamics of the time provides critical insights into the governance, administrative structures, and regional rivalries that characterized the period. Hiuen Tsang's observations about the conditions of the populace, the presence of trade routes, and cultural practices contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the era's socio-economic factors. His writings serve as a primary source for historians, enriching the discourse on ancient Indian history. By analyzing Hiuen Tsang's accounts alongside archaeological findings and other historical texts, modern scholars can construct a more nuanced picture of India's past, facilitating a deeper appreciation of the complexities within its historical narrative.

Previous Year Questions on Hiuen Tsang

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: Which of the following regions did Hiuen Tsang travel through during his visit to India?

A) South India
B) North-Western India
C) Eastern India
D) North-Eastern India

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Hiuen Tsang traveled through North-Western India, including regions that are now part of present-day Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, documenting his experiences and observations.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the relevance of Hiuen Tsang's writings in understanding the spread of Buddhism and the cultural exchanges between India and China." What insights do they provide?

Answer: Hiuen Tsang's writings are highly relevant in understanding the spread of Buddhism as they detail the various practices and teachings prevalent in India during the 7th century. His documentation of interactions with Indian scholars and the translation of Buddhist texts into Chinese highlight the cultural exchanges between India and China. These insights reveal how Buddhism adapted and transformed in different cultural contexts, influencing East Asian civilizations. Hiuen Tsang’s accounts serve as critical primary sources for historians studying the dynamics of religious transmission and intercultural dialogue, showcasing the profound impact of his journey on the historical relationship between these two great civilizations.