Xuanzang : a Buddhist pilgrim on the Silk Road

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Bibliographic Information

Xuanzang : a Buddhist pilgrim on the Silk Road

Sally Hovey Wriggins ; with a foreword by Frederick W. Mote

Westview Press, 1996

  • : pbk

Other Title

Xuan zang

Available at  / 22 libraries

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Note

Bibliography: p. 249-256

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

ISBN 9780813328010

Description

The saga of the 7th-century Chinese monk Xuanzang, who completed an epic 16-year journey to discover the heart of Buddhism at its source in India, is a story of human struggle and triumph. The author of this book, who journeyed in Xuanzang's footsteps, describes the perils Xuanzang faced, the monasteries he visited (many of which are standing to this day), and the eight places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Detailed maps and photographs provide evidence of the vast distances involved and the appalling dangers Zuanzang endured. Reproductions of Buddhist art from museums around the world not only reflect the religion but reveal a cosmopolitan era in which pilgrims were both adventurers and ambassadors of goodwill.

Table of Contents

  • The pilgrim and the emperor
  • the oases of the northern silk route
  • the crossroads of Asia
  • the land of India
  • philosophers and pirates in North India
  • the Buddhist Holy Land
  • Nalanda Monastery and environs
  • philosophers, rock-cut caves and a fortune-teller
  • the journey home to China
  • back in China
  • afterword - the legacy of Xuanzang.
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780813334073

Description

The saga of the seventh-century Chinese monk Xuanzang, who completed an epic sixteen-year journey to discover the heart of Buddhism at its source in India, is a splendid story of human struggle and triumph. One of Chinas great heroes, Xuanzang is introduced here for the first time to Western readers in this richly illustrated book.Eight centuries before Columbus, this intrepid pilgrim traveled 10,000 miles on the Silk Road. Sally Wriggins, who journeyed in Xuanzangs footsteps, brings to life a courageous explorer and devoutly religious man who transcends all our normal categories. Detailed maps and color photographs provide striking evidence of the vast distances involved and the appalling dangers Xuanzang faced; and the many reproductions of Buddhist art from museums around the world capture the glories of this world religion while revealing a cosmopolitan era in which pilgrims were both adventurers and ambassadors of goodwill. An engaging introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist art, this unique book takes the reader on a rousing adventure that also gives a compelling view of Asian history and civilization. }The saga of the seventh-century Chinese monk Xuanzang, who completed an epic sixteen-year journey to discover the heart of Buddhism at its source in India, is a splendid story of human struggle and triumph. One of Chinas great heroes, Xuanzang is introduced here for the first time to Western readers in this richly illustrated book.Sally Wriggins, who journeyed in Xuanzangs footsteps, brings to life a man who transcended common experience. Eight centuries before Columbus, this intrepid pilgrimagainst the wishes of his emperortraveled on the Silk Road through Central Asia on his way to India. Before his journey ended, he had met most of Asias important leaders and traversed 10,000 miles in search of Buddhist scriptures. He was both a mountain climber who scaled three of Asias highest mountain ranges and a desert survivor who nearly died of thirst on the brutal flats; a philosopher and metaphysician; a diplomat who established Chinas ties to Central Asian and Indian kings; and above all a devout and courageous Buddhist who personally nurtured the growth of Buddhism in China by disseminating the nearly 600 scriptures he carried back from India.Wriggins gives us vivid descriptions of the perils Xuanzang faced, the monasteries he visited (many still standing today), and the eight places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Detailed maps and color photographs provide striking evidence of the vast distances involved and the appalling dangers Xuanzang endured; reproductions of Buddhist art from museums around the world capture the glories of this world religion while revealing a cosmopolitan era in which pilgrims were both adventurers and ambassadors of goodwill. An engaging introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist art, this unique book takes the reader on a rousing adventure that also gives a compelling view of Asian history and civilization. }

Table of Contents

  • The Pilgrim and the Emperor
  • The Oases of the Northern Silk Road
  • The Crossroads of Asia
  • The Land of India
  • Philosophers and Pirates in Northern India
  • The Buddhist Holy Land
  • Nalanda Monastery and Environs
  • Philosophers, Rock-Cut Caves and a Fortune-Teller
  • The Journey Home to China
  • Back in China
  • Afterword: The Legacy of Xuanzang

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