Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.24

v1.c6.24

Generally speaking, Indian astronomy spread over China early during a large span of time from the 3ʳᵈ century to the 10ᵗʰ century. Relevant materials have, therefore, been preserved sparsely and it is hard to connect its contents with certain classics of astronomical schools in different periods. However, the influence of Indian astronomy on China which reached a climax, especially during the Tang Dynasty can still be traceable. In his preface to *Shen long licun* (Celestial Dragon Calendar), Li Jiao writes that Chinese and Indian astronomers “worked together even though they had different styles and skills” and made common efforts to compile calendars. The most common evidence is that of the Dayanli (Dayan Calendar) compiled by the Chinese monk, Yi Xing and the Japanese monk, Saicho, who came to China in the Tang Dynasty to seek Buddhist learning. Their work Neizheng Fofa xiangcheng xie mai pu (*Blood Spectrum of Inner Realization of Dharma*) describes that “monks of both Tang Chinese and Indian Sanskrit tradition participated in a joint discussion meeting and together committed themselves” to finally complete “a fixed and authoritative classic” which as part of the Chinese calendar history became a model for calendars for later generations.