Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c6.s2.t2.47

v1.c6.s2.t2.47

The Bibliography of Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) enlists Indian books on scientific topics like mathematics, pharmaceutics and astronomy. They were attributed to Bodhisattva Nagarjuna and Brahmin sages. As the use of Indian drugs increased, they found entry in Chinese pharmacopoeia eg 本草拾遺 Bencao shiyi (a supplement for the pharmaceutical natural histories) of 725 CE by Chen Zangchi. He added 368 new entries including阿勒勃 A-le-bo or *Āragvadha* (Cassia Fistula L). He also wrote about波羅門皂莢 Bolomen zaojia (Brahmin Soap Bean Tree, Glenditsia Sinensis). 段成式 Duan Chengshi has also described it in his work 酉陽雜俎 Yu yang za zu (Miscellany of Yuyang Mountains) of 860 CE. Again, Buddhist cave engravings viz Longmen caves and others included pharmaceutical formulae.