Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.32

v1.c7.32

Yijing, succeeding Xuanzang, went to India in the second year of Xianheng (671 CE) and he studied for 10 years. He returned to China with many scriptural texts via the maritime road. He compiled *Nanhai ji gui zhuan* (*Account of Buddhism Sent from the South Seas*). He left precious geographical and historical materials about Buddhism and many countries in India and Southeast Asia. Besides them, there were Huiri a disciple of Yijing, Wukong-a *śramaṇa* from Jingzhao during the Tang, Xuanzhao - a *śramaṇa* from Taizhou, Daoxi and Shibian - *śramaṇas* from Qizhou, Daofang and Daosheng - *śramaṇas* from Bingzhou, Modi Senghe - a *śramaṇa* from Jingzhao, Xuanhui - a *śramaṇa* from Chang’an, Mingyuan, Yilang and Yixuan - *śramaṇas* from Yizhou, Daolin and Wuxing - *śramaṇas* from Jingzhou, Lingyun - a *śramaṇa* from Xiangyang, Sengzhe - a *śramaṇa* from Lizhou, Zhihong - a *śramaṇa* from Luoyang and numerous other *śramaṇas* and devout descendants from unknown places studied in India for many years and ultimately returned home. Their studies and experiences enriched the content of Buddhist and cultural exchanges deepening further the relationship between India and China. They compiled works about the study of India, eg, *Zhong Tianzhu xing ji* (*Record of Travels to Central India*), *Tang Xiyu tu zhi* (*Records and Maps of the Western Regions during the Tang*), *Xiyu zhi* (*Record of the Western Regions*). Yancong, a monk in the translation office of the Shanglin Academy in the Eastern Capital of the Sui, translated, at the request of Indian monks in Rājagṛha, the *Renshou sheli rui tu jing* (*Text about Auspicious Maps of Relics during Renshou*) and the *Xiangrui lu* (*Record of Auspicious Things*) from Chinese to Sanskrit, and transmitted them to India.