Hiuen Tsiang

About the Author

Hiuen Tsiang (602–664 CE), a renowned Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler, is celebrated for his extraordinary pilgrimage to India during the Tang Dynasty. Departing from Chang'an in 629 CE, he journeyed overland through perilous terrains, defying imperial edicts to seek authentic Buddhist scriptures and teachings. Over seventeen years, he traversed Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, studying at Nalanda University and collecting over 600 texts that enriched Chinese Buddhism. Upon returning in 645 CE, he translated key sutras and authored 'Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World,' a meticulous two-volume account of the regions' geography, cultures, and religious sites, complete with a sketch map. His work remains a cornerstone of historical and Sinological studies, offering invaluable insights into 7th-century Asia.