佛祖統紀 53.77

53.77

Under Emperor Taizong of Tang, an imperial order sent Li Yibiao and Wang Xuance as envoys to Western India; they ascended Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa and carved a stele commemorating the Tang's awesome virtue. Tripiṭaka Master Xuanzang returned from seeking scriptures in Western India, was granted an audience, and was ordered by edict to compose the *Record of the Western Regions*. Under Empress Wu, initially Tripiṭaka Master Yijing had boarded a ship via the Southern Sea to seek the Dharma in Western India; by this time he sent the Sanskrit texts to the kingdom of Śrīvijaya and composed the *Account of Buddhism Sent from the South Seas* and *Biographies of Eminent Monks Who Sought the Dharma*. Under Emperor Xuanzong, the śramaṇa Huiri returned from Western India, was granted an audience to preach the Dharma, and was bestowed the title 'Tripiṭaka Master of Compassionate Sympathy' (Cimin). Under Emperor Taizu of Liang, the śramaṇa Zhixuan returned from seeking scriptures in Western India and presented Buddha relics and Sanskrit scriptures. Under Emperor Taizu of Song, the śramaṇa Daoyuan returned from traveling across the Five Indias and presented relics and Sanskrit scriptures. The śramaṇa Xingqin and others went to Western India in response to an edict to seek the Dharma, and all countries they traversed were bestowed imperial edicts instructing them to send guides ahead. The śramaṇa Jiansheng returned from Western India and presented Sanskrit scriptures on palm leaves. Under Emperor Zhenzong, Chen Shu of Kaifeng Prefecture stated that śramaṇas going to Western India to obtain scriptures should be examined for their talent. Under Emperor Renzong, the śramaṇa Huaiwen requested to go to Western India to build a stupa beside the Buddha's Diamond Seat (vajrāsana) on behalf of the present Emperor. The śramaṇa Huaiwen, Deji, Yongding, and others returned from Central India and presented Buddha bone relics, Sanskrit scriptures on palm leaves, and nineteen rubbings of Western steles.