Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c8.s3.t2.5

v1.c8.s3.t2.5

According to the statistical information provided by Xu Shiyi, the *Sounds and Meanings of All Sutras* actually annotated sounds of over 1,160 sutras of the work of Maha-Prajnaparamita Sutra translated by Xuanzang and those of another work titled *Protection of Life and Release of Animals* written by the eminent monk Yi Jing of the Tang Dynasty. The *Sounds and Meanings of All Sutras* has over 31,000 entries in which Huilin personally compiled over 21,200 entries. The entries offer answers to various questions that are likely to be raised by the readers of *Sutra*. Further, the *Sounds and Meanings of All Sutras* explained a lot of Sanskrit transliterated words besides pointing out correct Chinese characters and correct pronunciation of the Sanskrit words. This book proves to be very helpful in understanding various facets of ancient Indian culture and provided valuable information on the history of India-China cultural exchange. According to the contents of the sixth volume of *Sound and Meaning of All Sutras*, the word 'cane' means 'sarkara'. Explanations on Chinese characters used to translate the term 'cane' mentioned that it was the name of 'a grass of good smell'. When the juice of the cane is heated, it produces 'sugar' (shatang). After the completion of *Sounds and Meanings of All Sutras*, it has been carefully preserved in Xi-ming Temple of Xi'an along with other sutra, and is held in high esteem both by the Buddhists and laymen of the capital. It became part of the Tripitaka since the fifth year of Da-zhong (851 CE) reign and enjoyed much popularity in the Buddhist world. After this book was circulated to other places like Korea and Japan, it made great contribution towards the propagation of Buddhist culture in East Asia.