On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c5.2

v1.c5.2

AT the beginning of *Chüan* I. of the Records we have a long passage which, following Julien, we may call the Introduction. In a note Julien tells us that "suivant les éditeurs du Pien-i-tien, cette Introduction a été composé par Tschang-choue (i. e. Chang Yue), auteur de la préface du Si-yu-ki". Another native writer ascribes the composition of this Introduction to Pien-chi. But a careful reading of the text shews us that it could not have been written by either of these and that it must be regarded as the work of the pilgrim himself. This Introduction may possibly be the missing Preface written by Yuan-chuang according to a native authority.