Xuanzang

Definition

Xuanzang was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who traveled to India in the 7th century during the Tang dynasty to obtain Buddhist texts.

Analogy

Think of Xuanzang as an adventurous librarian. Just like a librarian is dedicated to collecting and sharing knowledge, Xuanzang journeyed far and wide (even risking his life) to gather sacred Buddhist texts and bring them back to China for translation and dissemination.

Related terms

Buddhism: A religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), emphasizing personal spiritual development and the pursuit of a deep insight into the true nature of life.

Tang Dynasty: The imperial dynasty ruling China from 618-907 noted for its openness to foreign cultural influences.

Silk Road: An ancient network of trade routes that connected East Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe. It played a significant role in economic, political, cultural and religious interactions between these regions.