Chinese and Tibetan Writers

Chinese and Tibetan Writers

Chinese Writers

Suma Chien

• Suma Chien (145 BC- 85 BC) was the first Chinese writer who wrote about India in his text "Historical Memoirs".

Pan Kou & Fanye (378-445 AD)

• "Annals of the Earlier Hans," written by Pan Kou, and "Annals of the Later Hans," written by Fanye, contain valuable information about Kushan rulers Kujul Kadphises and Vem Kadphises.

Fa-hien (399-414 AD)

• Fa-hien (399-414 AD) came to India in 399 AD during the reign of Gupta ruler Chandragupta-II "Vikramaditya".

• He stayed in India for 15-16 years (399-414).

• He came to India basically to cover an original copy of "Vinaya Pitaka".

• After returning to China, he wrote his travel account, namely "Fo-Kyuo-Ki," i.e., Records of Buddhist Countries.

• This book is still available in the original form.

• It throws sufficient light on the history, civilization & culture of the Gupta period.

• It is written from a Buddhist (religious) point of view, so there is a lack of scientific temper.

Sung Yun (518-22 AD)

• Sung Yun (518-22 AD) came to India in quest of Buddhist texts and returned to China with 170 Mahayana texts.

Hiuen Tsang (629-45 AD)

• Hiuen Tsang (629-45 AD) came to India in 629 AD in the reign of Harshavardhana, the ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.

• He stayed in India for 13-14 years (629-45).

• He studied Yogachar doctrine in Nalanda Mahavihara for 5 years.

• In 641 AD he reached Kanchi in the reign of Narsingh Varmana-I "Mammal", the Pallava ruler of Kanchi and stayed there for a long time.

• He wrote a travel account, "Si-Yu-Ki" (i.e., Buddhist Records of the Western World).

• The account contains detailed information about the history and culture of the country, especially the life of Harshavardhana and his activities, administration, religious, and educational system of that time. It is truly a gazetteer.

• His account is really a storehouse of information that helps to connect the discrete sequences of historic events of India.

• He also writes about the Huna ruler Mihirkula (a contemporary of Gupta ruler Baladitya, Budhagupta, and some others who patronized the Nalanda Mahavihara).

• He is known as the "King or Prince of Pilgrims".

Hwui Li

• Hwui Li wrote a biography of his friend Hiuen Tsang, namely "Life of Hiuen Tsang".

• It throws some light on Indian history.

Itsing (673-95 AD)

• Itsing (673-95 AD) came to India through a sea route via Sumatra.

• He stayed in Nalanda Mahavihara for 10 years and studied Sanskrit texts and Buddhist texts.

• He wrote a travel account, "A Record of the Buddhistic Religion as Practised in India and Malay Archipelago".

• This text does not give much information about the political history of India, but it contains precious information about Sanskrit literature and the history of the Buddhist religion.

• Itsing's "Autobiographies of Famous Buddhist Monks" contains detailed information about the social, economic, and cultural life of India at that time.

• Itsing refers to Srigupta, who is generally believed to have been the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty.

Hui-Cho (727 AD)

• Hui-Cho (727 AD) refers to the doings of Muktapida of Kashmir and Yashovarmana of Kannauj.

Matwa Lin (13th Century AD)

• Matwa Lin (13th Century AD) gives information about an eastern campaign of Harshavardhana, the Vardhana ruler.

Mohaan (15th Century AD)

• Mohaan (15th Century AD) came to India in 1406 AD. He visited Bengal.

• He was very impressed to see such an enriched region of India.

• He praised the manufactured things of Bengal.

Tibetan Writers

Taranath (12th Century AD)

• Taranath (12th Century AD) was a popular Tibetan historian.

• He wrote "Kangyur" & "Tangyur".

• These texts give us information about the ancient period of India.

Dharmaswamy (13th Century AD)

• Dharmaswamy (13th Century AD) came to India and studied in Nalanda Mahavihara for 3 years (1234-36 AD).

Final Thoughts

The writings of Chinese and Tibetan scholars provide invaluable insights into ancient India's political history, religious life, and cultural richness.

From the early records of Suma Chien to the detailed travelogues of Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang, and Itsing, these accounts serve as crucial historical sources.

They not only chronicle India's evolving civilization but also highlight its profound influence on Buddhist thought across Asia. Together, these works bridge cultural gaps and offer a timeless window into India's glorious past.