Pilgrimage to India

Faxian · 399 CE – 412 CE · Earth

Pilgrimage to India — Faxian · 399 CE – 412 CE · Earth — Recorded expedition route · schematic map

Seek Buddhist scriptures in India.

Historical context

Faxian travelled in an age when Buddhist learning flowed between China, Central Asia and India. His pilgrimage brought scriptures and a rare outsider's account of the societies along the way.

The voyage, step by step

  1. Leaving China

    399 CE

    Faxian sets out overland for India in search of Buddhist scriptures.

  2. Across Central Asia

    402 CE

    He crosses the deserts and mountains of Central Asia, visiting Buddhist kingdoms.

  3. Pilgrimage in India

    405 CE

    He visits the sacred sites of the Ganges plain and copies texts.

  4. Sri Lanka and the sea road

    409 CE

    He takes ship from Sri Lanka, bound for home.

  5. Home with the scriptures

    412 CE

    After fourteen years Faxian reaches China and translates what he carried.

Outcome

Returned by sea with scriptures after fourteen years.

Faxian

Chinese Buddhist monk who walked to India and returned by sea, recording the Buddhist kingdoms of Asia.

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Sources

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