On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s23: Conclusion
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c23.s23
- Language
- English
Conclusion
v2.c23.s23.1
The narrative of the Records terminates with the arrival of the pilgrim in the country which had been *Na-fo-p'o*, but a few sentences are appended to form a graceful epilogue. Julien here had the faulty and imperfect B text, and his translation of the passage was made under a partial misapprehension of the meaning of the author. What the latter writes may be freely rendered as follows—
v2.c23.s23.2
I have set forth at length natural scenery and ascertained territorial divisions. I have explained the qualities of national customs and climatic characteristics. Moral conduct is not constant and tastes vary; where matters cannot be thoroughly verified one may not be dogmatic. Wherever I went I made notes, and in mentioning what I saw and heard I recorded the aspirations for [Chinese] civilisation. It is a fact that from here to where the sun sets all have experienced [His Majesty's] beneficence, and wherever his influence reaches all admire his perfect virtue. The whole world having been united under one sway I have not been a mere individual on a political mission travelling a myriad *li* along a post-road.
v2.c23.s23.3
As this passage appears in all the texts it forms the close of the pilgrim's account, but it is perhaps better to regard it as an addition made by the courtly editor, perhaps Pien-chi, at the time the Ms. was presented to the Emperor. It apparently puzzled subsequent editors and the texts present considerable varieties. Thus the words which Julien renders—"il n'est pas possible d'en parler exactement d'après ses souvenirs" are *Fei-k'o-yi-shuo* (非可臆說) This is the reading of the B text, but instead of the third character here A and C have *yi* (抑), and D has *yang* (揚). It is the A text which has been followed in the rendering "one may not be dogmatic". So also the words for "It is a fact that from here to where the sun sets all have experienced his beneficence" are not in the B text, but are in all the other texts. Further the words for "The whole world having been united under one sway" are in A, C, and D, but not in B, and in D they are repeated. In the expression—"I have not been a mere individual" the original for individual is *tan-ch'ê* (單車) literally, "a single carriage". This term is applied to an official sent to a foreign state on government service without escort or retinue. Since all the world was united as one empire under Chinese sway, according to the audacious exaggeration of the writer, the pilgrim was not a mere solitary envoy obliged to keep to the post-road and the official resting-places. The benevolent rule and moral influence of his sovereign had produced effects to the furthest region of the pilgrim's travels, and gave him dignity and importance as a subject of the incomparable ruler.