Hiuen-Tsiang, the great Buddhist scholar, left China in 629 AD for India and returned in 45 AD. He travelled all over India and left the only record of that period we have today. He acquired fluency in Sanskrit even before he arrived in India. Of Sanskrit, he said: “One who is skilled in the language may write his compositions without any ambiguity and may express himself in the most elegant manner.” It is estimated that Sanskrit had helped enlarge the Chinese vocabulary by some 35,000 words. Much was due to Hiuen-Tsiang’s translation work after his return from India.
There is an interesting dialogue between him and the monks of Nalanda Monastery on the eve of his departure which he records. “All the priests hearing of it (his proposed departure), came to him in a body and begged him to remain, saying: ‘India is the place of the Buddha’s birth. The great Saint, although He has passed away, has yet left behind Him many traces (of His presence); what greater happiness in life than to visit, and adore, and exalt these (relics)? Why then do you leave these, after having come so far? Moreover, China is a country of Mllecchas, men of no importance, and shallow as to religion, and so the Buddhas are never born there. The mind (of the people) is narrow and their coarseness is profound, and hence neither saints nor sages go there from this country; the coolness of the climate, and the ruggedness of the country — these circumstances, also, are enough to cause you to think (again).”
Hiuen-Tsiang replied: ‘”The King of the Law, i.e., Buddha (Dharmaraja), in establishing the principles of His doctrine designed them for universal diffusion: how then can those who have received the benefit thereof, exclude those not yet enlightened? In that country of China, the superior magistrates are clothed with dignity, and the laws are everywhere respected. The prince is regarded as sacred, the ministers are faithful, parents loving, children are obedient, virtue and justice highly esteemed, age and uprightness preferred in honour. Moreover, how deep and mysterious their knowledge! How divine the model of their wisdom! Their rules (are) in agreement with heaven. They do not regard the seven heavenly bodies (sun, moon and five planets) as hidden in their literature, they make instruments, divide the seasons, produce the six sharp-notes of music, and so are able to tame or drive away birds or beasts, subdue the spirits to their will, calm the influences of Yang and Yin principles in Nature. From the time the bequeathed doctrine of the Buddha penetrated to the East, they have highly venerated the Great Vehicle; in meditation, they are placid as the shining waters; in morals, their renown is like the perfume of opening flowers; in practice, they engage the heart; their earnest vow is to obtain the fullest degree of merit, and by quiet abstraction to prepare for the acquisition of the threefold body and the highest condition of being.”
There is further dialogue and finally the priests give up as Hiuen-Tsiang has the better of the argument and take him to Silabhadra, the Head of Nalanda, called by everyone only as the ‘Master of the Law’ and who has imparted all his knowledge to Hiuen-Tsiang. Both venerated and respected each other.
“Then Silabhadra, Master of the Law, addressing him, said : ‘Why, sir, have you come to this resolution?” He (Hiuen-Tsiang) replied : ‘This country is the place of the Buddha’s birth: it is impossible not to regard it with affection; only Hiuen-Tsiang’s intention in coming hither was to inquire after the Great Law for the benefit of his fellow creatures. Since my arrival here, you, sir, have condescended on my account, to explain the Yogacharya-bhumi-sastras, and to investigate doubtful passages. I have visited and adored the sacred vestiges of our religion, and heard the profound exposition of different schools. My mind has been overjoyed, and my visit here has, I protest, been of the utmost profit. I desire now to go back and translate and explain to others what I have heard, so as to cause others also to be equally grateful to you, with myself, in hearing and understanding these things; and for this reason I am unwilling to delay my return and remain here.”
Silabhadra joyfully replied: “These are thoughts worthy of a Boddisattva; my heart anticipates your own wishes! I will give orders for your conveyance hence; and you, my friends, do not cause any trouble, by delaying him.”
Hiuen-Tsiang after receiving great honours from the Emperor Harsha returned to China where he obtained the favour of two Chinese Emperors, and proceeded to translate all the Sanskrit books and documents he acquired in India to Chinese.
His legacy to China and Chinese Buddhism is as great as his legacy to that period of Indian history which, without his extensive records would have faded into oblivion following the Islamic invasions. He died in 664 AD and it is reported that a million people attended his funeral.
It would be in the fitness of things if the Government of India sets up a scholarship in his name for Indians to learn Chinese and to travel and educate themselves in China. It seems time to reverse the flow of knowledge.