Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c31.4

c31.4

**Object of his Mission: its difficulties.** Like Fa-Hien I-tsing’s object was to study and gather the genuine texts of the Vinaya rules, to correct their misrepresentations in China, and to combat the erroneous views held by the *Vinayadharas* there in those days (Takakusu’s ed., pp. 15, 18). At first I-tsing organized a band of scholars to undertake that mission and a joint travel to India, the home of Buddhist literature, but eventually he had to travel almost alone, his only companion being a youthful priest. Not at all depressed by this discouraging circumstance, he had the inspiring words of his teacher to lead him on to that arduous enterprise from which others had shrunk: “Go without hesitation; do not look back upon things left behind. I certainly approve of your pilgrimage to the holy places. Moreover, it is a most important duty to strive for the prosperity of Religion. Rest clear from doubt! This is a great opportunity for you, which will not occur twice” (p. xxviii).