Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t3.9

v2.c14.s4.t3.9

Master Xuanzang made a tremendous contribution to the translation of Buddhism scriptures and establishment of schools of Buddhism. His visit to India can be viewed as the most important event in the history of India-China exchange. The admiration of Master Xuanzang for Emperor Taizong resulted in an official visit of an Indian envoy after Siladitya met Xuanzang, and it is also because of his high praise to Siladitya that Emperor Taizong sent envoys to pay a return visit to India. We can see that Xuanzang is just like a bridge connecting India and China into a whole. Later, the Tang envoys to India which include Liang Huaijing, Li Yibiao, Wang Xuance, Jiang Shiren, etc., further put Siladitya and Emperor Taizong in closer contact with each other. The *Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang* written by Xuanzang under the order of Emperor Taizong is widely known as a wonderful book that brings the two nations closer. It also introduces in a vivid way, the industry, geography, religion and culture of India to China. The book is highly appraised by Indian history researchers even today.