Xuanzang (602–664 AD), an illustrious monk in the Tang Dynasty, was one of the most important translators of Chinese Buddhism. His lifelong goal was to transmit the entirety of Indian knowledge to the Chinese world through translation. The classics he translated encompassed not only Indian Buddhist scriptures but also texts on Indian knowledge and society in the seventh century.
French sinologist Jacques Gernet said of Xuanzang’s contributions: “Xuanzang was an outstanding scholar on India and a precise linguist (who proposed extremely strict translation standards), a unique phenomenon in the history of Chinese Buddhism: he was the only Chinese who had truly mastered the vastness, breadth, and complexity of Buddhist philosophy. In the history of Chinese Buddhism, very few people have surpassed Xuanzang in their mastery of Buddhist epistemology.”
The translation activities led by Xuanzang systematically enriched Buddhist scriptures, laid the foundation for the prosperity of Buddhist culture, and enhanced the depth and breadth of mutual exchanges and learning between the Chinese and Indian civilizations. By translating Chinese Buddhist scriptures back into Sanskrit, Xuanzang further expanded the influence of sinicized Buddhism, making Buddhism a vital cultural bridge for exchanges between China and other countries.
Xuanzang’s travelogue Great Tang Record on the Western Regions details his experiences during his journey westward, covering a vast area that included present-day South and Central Asia. This work is an invaluable historical source for studying Sino-Indian Buddhism and provides significant insights into Buddhist historiography and the history of the western regions and India, Sino-western transportation, as well as the culture, philosophy, and politics of these areas. Given the scarcity of historical records in India, this travelogue is an indispensable document for understanding the geography and history of ancient India and South Asia.
Xuanzang’s journey was marked by hardships and obstacles that he overcame to achieve his lifelong goal. Such determination and resilience are rare in human history. His 17-year pilgrimage to India, covering more than 12,000 miles, was a monumental undertaking, even by today’s standards. The arduous and perilous travels tested his faith and perseverance. Xuanzang’s lofty ideals and indomitable spirit are vividly depicted in his biography. After completing his studies in India, he made the azardous journey back to China, where he devoted himself to translating Buddhist scriptures for decades, reflecting a unique form of patriotism.
Equipped with only local culture and knowledge, Xuanzang ventured abroad to explore new horizons and embodied an enterprising spirit of human engagement and mutual exchange of ideas. Thus, his contributions extend beyond tangible achievements; he represents the “Xuanzang spirit,” which deserves to be celebrated and emulated by us all.
The Complete Works of Xuanzang, a landmark achievement of the Central China Plains Library, is a large-scale publishing project dedicated to the collection and organization of historical documents related to Central China. The first batch of publications comprises 53 volumes and well over 20 million words. Edited by Han Xin, director of the Chinese Buddhist Canon Research Institute of the Guangxi Humanities and Social Sciences Development Research Center, these works are based on the Qianlong Great Buddhist Canon and eight other buddhist canons, including the Fangshan Stone Sutra, the Zifu Canon, the Qisha Canon, the Zhaocheng Jin Canon, the Jingshan Canon, and the Puning Canon. They feature 75 Buddhist scriptures translated by Xuanzang along with related content such as his biography and chronology.
The Complete Works of Xuanzang is the most comprehensive and meticulously edited collection of Xuanzang’s translations to date. These works provide the academic community with detailed and reliable texts for research on Xuanzang. Published by Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House in November 2023, The Complete Works of Xuanzang provides a foundation and scholarly framework for further exploration of the contemporary value of Xuanzang’s spirit while establishing a historical basis for mutual cultural exchange, learning, and understanding between Chinese and other cultures.
In India, individuals skilled in Buddhist sutras (teachings), Vinaya (monastic rules), and Abhidhamma (systematic and scholastic works)—collectively known as the Tripitaka or “Triple Basket”—are called “Tripitaka masters.” In China, this title refers to distinguished monks who not only master the Tripitaka but also engage in its translations. Among the most renowned of these masters is Xuanzang, often called “Tripitaka Master Xuanzang” or “Tang Sanzang” (literally, Tang Tripitaka). After Xuanzang translated 100 volumes of the Yogacarabhumi-sastra, Emperor Taizong personally wrote the preface to The Sacred Teachings of the Great Tang Tripitaka, praising Xuanzang’s dedication to seeking the dharma. The emperor extolled his “knowledge, achievements, reputation, and demeanor,” calling him “incomparable throughout the ages” and “the leader of the monks.”
Liang Qichao, a Chinese intellectual and politician, calls Xuanzang “the first expert in Chinese Buddhism.” Lu Xun, often regarded as China’s greatest 20th-century writer, refers to Xuanzang as “the backbone of the Chinese nation.”
The Complete Works of Xuanzang covers various topics, including Prajna, Huayan, law, esoteric education, sutra collection, and Vitan. It not only presents Xuanzang’s historical contributions to the eastward spread of ancient Indian Buddhist philosophy but also highlights his crucial role in the “sinicization of Buddhism.”
The publication of The Complete Works of Xuanzang is of great practical significance for exploring the contemporary value of the Xuanzang spirit. It showcases the outstanding traits of tolerance and innovation in Chinese civilization while promoting Sinoforeign cultural exchanges and enhancing cultural and historical confidence.
This article is adapted from the foreword of The Complete Works of Xuanzang, written by Professor Li Xuetao, dean of the School of History, director of the Institute of Global History, and an academician of the German National Academy of Sciences at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
