Si Yu Ki - Buddhist Records Of The Western World
Book details
- Title
- Si Yu Ki - Buddhist Records Of The Western World
- Author
- Orientalist Samuel Beal
- Publication year listed
- 1884
- Format
- Public domain eBook
- Reading access
- Free online reader; no registration required
- Source record
- View on Archive.org
About this book
Si Yu Ki - Buddhist Records Of The Western World
Author: Samuel Beal
Year: 1884
Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World was originally written by the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsiang) and compiled by his disciple Bianji in 646 A.D., while the popular English translation was published by Orientalist Samuel Beal in 1884. The historic text documents Xuanzang's actual 19-year pilgrimage that began in 629 A.D. from Tang Dynasty China through Central Asia to India. It provides a detailed account of his journey to visit sacred Buddhist sites and study at the ancient Nalanda University. The book functions as an invaluable primary source, describing the geography, culture, politics, and religious state of over 100 kingdoms he encountered. Ultimately, this real-life adventure became so influential that it inspired the famous Chinese classical novel Journey to the West .