The Travels of Fa-hsien (399-414 A.D.), Or Record of the Buddhistic KingdomsOriginally published in 1923, this edition of The Travels of Fa-hsien was translated into English by H. A. Giles (1845-1935), a scholar of Chinese language and culture who helped popularize the Wade-Giles system for the Romanization of the Chinese languages. The Travels relates the story of Fa-hsien's journey from Central China across the Gobi Desert, over the Hindu Kush, and through India down to the mouth of the Hoogly, where he took a ship and returned to China by sea, bringing with him the books of the Buddhist Canon and images of Buddhist deities. This is a fascinating text that will be of value to anyone with an interest in Buddhism and Chinese literature. |
Common terms and phrases
Abhidharma alms-bowl Ananda become a Buddha Bô tree Bôdhisatva bowl Brahmans Buddha sat Buddhist Buddhistic Kingdoms built a pagoda built a shrine cave Central India Ch'ang-an Chang-yeh Chin dynasty China Chinese dêvas disciples dragon east eastward elephant expounded the Faith feet in height five hundred flowers and incense four four heavenly kings Garden of Gold gate Greater Vehicle ground Hall of Buddha heaven Heir Apparent heretics Hidda Hui-ching Hui-ta image of Buddha Indra journeyed Kapilavastu Karghalik Kâsyapa Khotan king Asôka Kuan Yin lamps Lesser Vehicle Liang dynasty Lo-han Magadha Mâitrêya merchants monastery mountain Mugalan Narrative of Fa-hsien Nirvâna Pao-yün passed pilgrims arrived place where Buddha point travelling preach the Faith Precious Trinity priesthood reached religious mendicant rock SAFED KOH Sâriputra Sêng-ching seven days seven preciosities Shakyamuni Shamans side skull-bone south-east spot stone Sui Dynasty sûtra Tao-chêng Thou shalt Tun-huang Vâisâli Vinaya wished World-Honoured yôjanas