Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.28

v1.c7.28

had crossed passes gazing into the mist, or who met together and investigated, and who had probably lost eight or nine out of 10”, already had produced a base and a foothold on Chinese territory, thus exerting their influence. At the same time, the appearance of Chinese monks in India attracted the attention of the Indian courts. The great king, Shili Jiduo (Śrīgupta), had great respect for the Chinese monks and he ordered the donation of land and the construction of a “Zhina (Chinese) Temple”. There the Chinese monks could stay. He further allocated 24 great villages to them. Therefore, the Wei Shu recorded: “Śākyamuni has passed away but he has left his traces, his nails and teeth in India. They now still exist. As the Middle Regions come and go, they do call to see them”.