| The early Chinese Buddhist travel records, written between four hundred and seven hundred A.D., form a literary genre that should be accorded an important place in the history of Chinese literature. The authors of these travel records were Chinese monks who made the long journey to India overland and by sea to reach the birthplace of the Buddha and bring Buddhist scriptures back to China. The accounts of the journeys of Fa-hsien (399-414), Hsuan-tsang (629-645), and I-ching (671-695) stand out for their historical importance and enduring universal appeal as great works of literature, and therefore have been chosen as the primary sources for this study.;Part Two examines the main themes that recur in the writings of the pilgrims, and compares their descriptive passages on similar topics.;Chapter Four is concerned with the religious experience of the journey to the West. The Chinese monks write about the relics of the Buddha, record stories of the Buddha associated with places they visit, and recount their own religious experiences manifested in dreams and omens.;Chapter Five contains the pilgrims' literary descriptions of geography, their fanciful as well as factual accounts, their lyrical pictures of dramatic landscapes, and informative reports on topography. The Buddhist concept of the universe affected the geographical orientation of the pilgrims, which is reflected in their writing.;Part One concerns the authors of the travel records. Many facts about the lives of Fa-hsien, Hsuan-tsang, and I-ching are known for contemporary sources, and in addition they emerge as individuals from their own accounts of their journeys.;Chapter Six concerns the pilgrims' descriptions of all aspects of civilization they encountered outside China, including reports of meetings with rulers and religious leaders, and great religious debates.;The Conclusion reviews the style and language of the travel records, their incorporation of Indian literary traditions, and their contribution to the popularization of Buddhism.;There are appendices on the travel itinerary of each of the pilgrims with accompanying maps. There are also appendices on the chronology of the life of the Buddha, Buddhist literature, and Buddhist schools and religious leaders. Appendix Seven gives the important dates, people, and events mentioned in the travel records. |
