Tang-Sanzang
Tang-Sanzang, also known as Xuanzang, was a pivotal figure in Chinese history, famous for his monumental journey to India and back to China in the 7th century. Here are some detailed facts and historical context about him:
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Birth and Early Life: Born in 602 CE as Chen Yi, Tang-Sanzang later adopted the monastic name Xuanzang when he became a monk. He hailed from the Tang Dynasty, which was a period of great cultural and intellectual flourishing in China.
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Journey to the West: Tang-Sanzang's most famous endeavor was his 17-year journey (627-645 CE) to India to collect Buddhist scriptures. This journey, known as the Journey to the West, inspired countless stories and the famous novel by the same name.
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Motivation: His primary goal was to obtain authentic copies of Buddhist texts to resolve doctrinal disputes in China. He was particularly interested in the Mahayana Buddhism texts that were prevalent in India.
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Travels: Xuanzang traveled through numerous countries, including Central Asia, and faced many hardships like extreme weather, hunger, and threats from bandits and wild animals. His route included modern-day Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
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Study in India: In India, he studied at Nalanda, one of the most renowned centers of Buddhist learning at the time, under masters like Silabhadra.
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Return to China: Upon his return, he brought back over 650 Sanskrit texts, many of which he translated into Chinese. His translations and commentaries were instrumental in shaping Chinese Buddhism.
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Legacy: Tang-Sanzang's travels and translations had a profound impact on Buddhism in China. He is revered not only as a scholar but also as a symbol of perseverance and dedication to spiritual knowledge.
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Death: He passed away in 664 CE, but his legacy lived on through his works and the narrative of his journey, which was immortalized in literature and folklore.
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