Diplomatic, cultural and religious relationships between China and India are getting limited attention by some scholars. However, if we do not look closely many important facts from developing of these countries can be missed. For example, China in particular played a great role in developing political and military affiliation of Sino-Indian contacts. In addition, it is important to notice that motives of individuals were the main force of developing of such relations. Sometimes it is hard to apprehend that one can make the difference in the world , but articles by S.H. Wriggins and Tansen Sen can prove that is one wrong.
Xuanzang - a brave young Buddhist pilgrim who travelLed a great distance to find out the “true” Buddhism. His motives were so pure, it seems that nothing could convince him otherwise or stop him from accomplishing his mission. His high intelligence and determinism from the young age helped him along the way and by the end of his journey he became a legend and a hero in his home country. Interestingly to notice that at first he had to escape by night to start his quest for scriptures, but by the end emperor Tang himself was waiting for his arrival. Even though Xuanzang declined many offerings by emperor Taizong (and many other rulers) due to his religious beliefes (Beliefs у тебя вроде правильно,но это слово исключение), by doing so he perhaps in some way converted Taizong from Confucianism to Buddhism by the end of his life. Where he turned to A Brahman expert for producing life-prolonging drugs.
Xuanzang travelLed 10.000 miles from Chang’an China as far as Samarkand.He has met many rulers on his way that were all interested in Buddhism and knew about Xuanzang quest. The king of Turfan, for example, didn’t even want him to leave Instead,he wanted him to become a spiritual preceptor for his kingdom. After a month of convincing Xuanzang, he let him go and gave him letters for other kings that he would meet on his way in addition to clothes, gold, silver, horses and servants. Which would make all the rulers of the Western Turks at his service.
On his way to ancient India, Xuanzang meets with King of Kucha ,whom hi describes as a man of a weak intellect. But the country is very cultured with population of Indo-European people ,who are also the followers of Buddhism.
Xuanzang crosses the Tian Shan mountains and meets the Great Khan of Western Turks.Even though the people of the region were not Buddhist followers , they knew a little about Buddhism they asked Xuanzang to stay and expound the Buddhism doctrine, tellings of Xuanzang left Khan highly impressed. Once again he tried to stop him from his mission, but Xuanzang continued his journey for “true” Buddhism.
That all raises many questions such:Can one make a difference? What was important to people of that time? Everyone had their own motives , which contributed to the development of Buddhism in Asia in the 7th century.
No comments:
Post a Comment