Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t5.5

v2.c14.s4.t5.5

Yi Jing, started his journey to India in the Xianheng second year and reached the eastern India in the Xianheng fourth year by way of Srivijaya now in Indonesia. In the Xianheng 5ᵗʰ year (674 CE), Yi Jing arrived at the Nalanda Monastery. During a period of nine years ranging from the Shangyuan second year (675 CE) to Guangzhai first year (684 CE), Yi Jing had been learning Buddhism doctrines at the Nalanda Monastery. (*The Great Tang Record of Buddhist Practices Sent Home from the Southern Sea*, volume IV) Just about half a century ago when Master Xuanzang arrived at Nalanda Monastery, It seemed that he was the only one Chinese student there. However, Yi Jing met so many monks from Tang there such as Xuanzhao, Fotuodamo, Sengzhe, Huilun, Daolin, Zhihong, Wuxing etc, from which we can see that the Sino-India cultural exchange was further enhanced at that time.