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It is not a little surprising that we should have to acknowledge the fact that the voyages of two Chinese travellers, undertaken in the fifth and seventh century of our era, have done more to elucidate the history and geography of Buddhism in India, than all that has hitherto been found in the Sanskrit and Pali books of India and the neighbouring countries. The present work contains two translations from the Chinese— (1) The Travels of Fah-Hian (400- 415 A.D.), and (2) The Mission of Sung-Yun; both Buddhist pilgrims from China to India. It was, in fact, published at a period when little was known in Europe of Chinese-Buddhist literature, and without having received the last revision of its lamented author. Whether the present work will meet the want or not, is a question for those best able to examine it, to determine. Buddhism, which had arisen in India (500-600 B.C.) under the form of a reaction against the material worship and the intolerant claims of the Brahmans, in time (260 B.C.) became the adopted religion of the country. Missionaries, proceeding from the various centres of religious influence, carried a knowledge of their doctrines and discipline north and south—until, from Balkh to Ceylon and from Pattala on the Indus, to Tamluc on the Hugli, the vast territory was leavened by their teaching, and the priestly power of the Brahman began to pale.
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ISBN : 9788121241595
Pages : 286
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