Xuanzang | Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka | A Review
Xuanzang’s ‘Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka’-A Review
Xuanzang’s “Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka from the Golden Age and Tang Dynasty” is a significant historical text that documents the spread of Buddhism from India to China. Written in the 7th century, it provides a detailed account of the life and travels of Xuanzang, a Chinese monk who journeyed to India to study Buddhism and bring back sacred texts to China.
The text is divided into three parts. The first part describes the early history of Buddhism in India, tracing its origins to the teachings of the Buddha and the formation of the early Buddhist scriptures. The second part focuses on the transmission of Buddhist teachings to China, detailing the lives and works of key figures in the spread of Buddhism across the Silk Road. The final part describes Xuanzang’s own journey to India and the difficulties he faced along the way, including hostile tribes and dangerous terrain.
One of the strengths of Xuanzang’s “Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka from the Golden Age and Tang Dynasty” is its comprehensive and detailed approach to documenting the spread of Buddhism. Xuanzang was a highly educated and knowledgeable monk, and his firsthand account of his journey to India provides invaluable insights into the religious and cultural practices of the time. His descriptions of the landscape, people, and customs he encountered along the way add depth and richness to the narrative.
The text is also notable for its detailed accounts of the various Buddhist schools and their teachings. Xuanzang was a proponent of the Yogacara school, and his descriptions of this and other schools of thought are highly informative and provide a valuable glimpse into the diversity of Buddhist practice and philosophy.
However, the text is not without its flaws. Xuanzang’s writing can be dense and difficult to follow, and his account of events can be biased toward his own school of thought. Additionally, the text is highly focused on the transmission of Buddhist teachings from India to China, and as such, it provides limited insight into the development of Buddhism in other parts of the world.
In conclusion, Xuanzang’s “Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka from the Golden Age and Tang Dynasty” is a significant and valuable historical text that provides a detailed account of the spread of Buddhism from India to China. While it has its limitations, it remains a key resource for anyone interested in the history of Buddhism and its transmission across the world. 0 0 0.
Xuanzang Records of the Transmission of the Tripitaka A Review
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
- Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues …
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