Xuanzang - Chinese Buddhist Monk

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

TRANSLATION OF BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES

In the 7th century AD, the Chinese monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) set off an epic journey to India to study Buddhist Philosophy from the Indian masters. Travelling along the Silk Road, through the desolate wastes of the Gobi desert and the icy passes of Central Asia, braving blizzards and brigands, Xuanzang finally reached India, where his spirtual quest took him to Buddhist holy places and monasteries throughout the subcontinent.

By the time he returned to China eighteen years later, carrying with him nearly 600 scriptures which he translated from Sanskrit into Chinese, Xuanzang had covered an astonishing 10,000 miles. He also left a detailed record of his journey which remains a valuable source of historical information on the regions he travelled.