Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.18

v1.c7.18

Daopu travelled thoroughly and explored the Western Regions and found Buddhism widespread there. In the region of Xinjiang, two great centres of Buddhism were formed in Qiuci and Hotan. In the land of Qiuci, both the greater and lesser vehicle (Mahāyāna and Hinayāna) were developed. In *Da Tang Xiyu ji* (*Great Tang Dynasty Record of the Western Regions*), Volume 12, master Xuanzang of the Tang thus describes Qiuci: “More than a hundred temples and more than 5,000 monks. They practice Sarvāstivāda, Buddhism of the lesser vehicles. The teachings of the sutras and the rituals of the *vinaya* come from India and what they read is in their own language…”. The *You fang ji chao* (*Abstract of Travel Records*) mentions– “In this land of Qiuci, there are many temples and many monks. They practice the law of the lesser vehicle. They eat meat and shallots etc. The Han monks practice the law of the greater vehicle.” Buddhism developed vigorously under the protection of the king of Qiuci. Buddhism of the greater vehicle spread to Hotan. In *Faxian zhuan* (*Biography of Faxian*) it is written that: “he reached Hotan on the fifth day of the first month on his way (to India). This country was rich and the people prosperous. They all practiced the law (*dhamma*). They entertained each other with the joy of the law. The *saṅgha* counted over 10,000 people. They mostly studied the greater vehicle and all had plenty of food. The people of that country live scattered and in front of each home, there always is a small stupa. The smallest can be about a *zhang* high. They have made square rooms for guest monks. Their temples are called *qumodi*. They are temples of the greater vehicle. Three thousand monks eat together. When they enter the dining hall, they are dignified and orderly and they sit down in the proper order. They are all silent and their bowls do not make a sound. The pure eat more. They may not call each other but they make hand gestures.” Because the Western Regions were far away from China’s Central Plain, the influence of Chinese culture was less. Buddhism, which is prevalent there, mainly reflects the influence of the Indian religion and culture.