Xuanzang (玄奘) — The 16-Year Solo Explorer
Dynasty: Tang Dynasty (602-664)
Walked 50,000 miles alone through deserts and blizzards to bring enlightenment back to China.
Life Footprint & Journey Nodes
Luoyang (Ordination & Mastery), Henan (河南洛阳 (少年出家 · 精研经律论三藏)) - Age 20
Ancestral home near Luoyang where Xuanzang was born into an official family, Henan
Ordained as a Prodigy Monk in the Eastern Capital
Born into a scholarly family in Luoyang. Ordained as a monk at age 13 at Jingtu Temple. As he mastered major scriptures across China, he discovered unresolved contradictions in existing Chinese translations.
From afar, to inherit the Buddha's true wisdom; in the present, to illuminate his eternal teachings.
远绍如来，近光遗法。 (Yuǎn shào Rúlái, jìn guāng yífǎ.)Chang'an (The Solemn Vow to the West), Shaanxi (陕西西安 (大唐都城长安 · 发愿西行)) - Age 25
Grand Tang Buddhist center where Xuanzang vowed to travel west for original scriptures, Xi'an
Defying the Emperor's Travel Ban for the Sake of Truth
Denied an official passport by Emperor Taizong, 25-year-old Xuanzang took a solemn vow before the Buddha and slipped out of Chang'an under the guise of famine refugees, embarking on his epic odyssey.
I vow to dedicate this mortal body to the Great Dharma, swearing to venture west to seek the original scriptures.
愿以此身，殉于大法；誓往西方，求取真经。 (Yuàn yǐ cǐ shēn, xùn yú dàfǎ; shì wǎng xīfāng, qiúqǔ zhēnjīng.)Moheyanqi Desert (Sea of Death), Hexi (甘肃敦煌/瓜州 (莫贺延碛沙漠 · 八百里死海)) - Age 25
Treacherous Gobi desert where Xuanzang nearly perished of thirst, Gansu/Xinjiang
'I Would Rather Die Moving One Step West, Than Live by Returning East!'
Crossing the 800-li Moheyanqi 'River of Sand', Xuanzang accidentally spilled his water skin. After collapsing near death on the fifth day, his faithful horse led him to a spring oasis, saving his life.
I would rather die taking one more step west, than live in regret by returning one step east!
宁可就西而死，岂能东归而生！ (Nìngkě jiù xī ér sǐ, qǐnéng dōng guī ér shēng!)Gaochang Kingdom (Turpan Oasis), Xinjiang (新疆吐鲁番 (高昌古国 · 国王结拜兄弟)) - Age 26
Silk Road kingdom whose king became Xuanzang's sworn brother, Turpan, Xinjiang
The King Held Him Hostage Out of Love: A Royal Blood Brotherhood
King Qu Wentai of Gaochang attempted to keep Xuanzang forever. After Xuanzang went on a 3-day hunger strike, the moved King swore blood brotherhood with him, funding his expedition with gold, horses, and royal diplomatic escorts.
Xuanzang ventures west for the Dharma, ready to sacrifice his life; if you must retain my body here, you shall keep only my bones!
玄奘西行求法，愿以身殉道；若留身于此，请留余骸！ (Xuánzàng xīxíng qiúfǎ, yuàn yǐ shēn xùndào; ruò liú shēn yúcǐ, qǐng liú yú hái!)Suyab & Samarkand, Central Asia (Silk Road Heart) (中亚碎叶城与撒马尔罕 (欧亚大陆心脏 · 会见突厥可汗)) - Age 27
Ancient Western Turkic khaganate hub along Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Audience with the Great Khan of the Western Turkic Empire
Crossing the lethal Tianshan glaciers, Xuanzang arrived in Suyab and Samarkand. The Western Turkic Khan received him with highest royal honors in a golden silk yurt, granting him safe passage toward the Hindu Kush.
Ice and snow mingle in raging tempests; glaciers never melt amidst howling blizzards and hurtling hailstones.
冰雪相杂，风气暴烈；积雪不化，飞雹狂飙。 (Bīngxuě xiāngzá, fēngqì bàoliè; jīxuě bù huà, fēibáo kuángbiāo.)Bamiyan & Gandhara (Giant Buddhas), Afghanistan (阿富汗巴米扬与犍陀罗 (千年巨佛与希腊化佛教艺术)) - Age 28
Fabled Bamiyan Valley and Gandharan Buddhist artistic crossroads, Afghanistan
Gazing at the Colossal Golden Bamiyan Buddhas
In the Bamiyan valley, Xuanzang marvelled at the world's tallest standing Buddha statues carved into sandstone cliffs, describing them glittering with gold and jewels before continuing toward the Khyber Pass into ancient India.
To the northeast of the royal city on a mountain cliff stands a stone Buddha statue, 150 feet high, dazzling with bright gold and adorned with radiant jewels.
王城东北山阿有石佛立像，高百四五十尺，金色晃曜，宝饰焕烂。 (Wángchéng dōngběi shān'ē yǒu shífó lìxiàng, gāo bǎi sìwǔshí chǐ, jīnsè huàngyào, bǎoshì huànlàn.)Nalanda University (Zenith of Ancient Wisdom), India (印度那烂陀大学 (全印学术之巅 · 拜戒贤法师)) - Age 33
Ancient Buddhist mega-monastery & university in Bihar, India
Entering the Harvard of Ancient Asia: The Supreme Scholar of Nalanda
At Nalanda University, the pinnacle of learning in ancient Asia, Xuanzang studied under the venerable 106-year-old Master Silabhadra. He mastered Sanskrit and all schools of Indian philosophy, rising to become one of Nalanda's most revered top scholars.
All phenomena arise from interrelated causes; of these causes, the Buddha has taught the true nature and their cessation.
诸法因缘生，我说是因缘；因缘尽故灭，我作如是说。 (Zhūfǎ yīnyuán shēng, wǒ shuō shì yīnyuán; yīnyuán jìn gù miè, wǒ zuò rúshì shuō.)Kanyakubja Grand Assembly (King Harsha), India (印度曲女城 (戒日王无遮辩经大会 · 名震五印)) - Age 40
Imperial assembly hosted by King Harsha where Xuanzang defended Mahayana, India
The Grand Debate of 18 Days: Crowned Supreme Philosopher of India
King Harsha convened the historic Kanyakubja Assembly attended by 18 vassal kings and 3,000 scholars. Xuanzang presented his thesis in Sanskrit for 18 days with zero scholars able to refute him, earning the supreme titles 'Mahayanadeva' and 'Moksadeva'.
If anyone can find a single flaw in my thesis and refute it, I shall offer my head in forfeit!
若有一字无理能折难者，请斩首以谢！ (Ruò yǒu yī zì wúlǐ néng zhénàn zhě, qǐng zhǎnshǒu yǐ xiè!)Pamir Plateau & Khotan (Trekking Home with 657 Sutras) (新疆和田与帕米尔高原 (携657部梵经翻越葱岭东归)) - Age 42
Historic Silk Road jade kingdom where Xuanzang crossed the Pamir Mountains, Xinjiang
Crossing the Roof of the World with 657 Sacred Sanskrit Manuscripts
Rejecting royal invitations to stay in India, Xuanzang set out for China carrying 657 Sanskrit texts, 150 Buddha relics, and golden statues across the high Pamir passes, arriving in Khotan before entering the Tang homeland.
Tens of thousands of miles crossed in peril and storm, fortunately safe and sound; now bearing the sacred Dharma treasures, I behold the majesty of Great Tang once more!
经途数万，涉险涉难，幸得全济；今携法宝，重睹大唐天颜！ (Jīngtú shùwàn, shèxiǎn shènàn, xìngdé quánjì; jīnxxié fǎbǎo, chóngdǔ Dà Táng tiānyán!)Chang'an (Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Translation Bureau) (陕西西安 (大慈恩寺大雁塔 · 二十年国家译场)) - Age 43
Great Wild Goose Pagoda built by Xuanzang to translate sacred scriptures, Xi'an
19 Years of Translation: Building the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
In Chang'an, Xuanzang oversaw the largest translation bureau in human history. To preserve the manuscripts against fire, he personally designed and built the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. He also authored 'Great Tang Records on the Western Regions' (Da Tang Xiyu Ji).
Form is not different from emptiness; emptiness is not different from form. Form is itself emptiness; emptiness is itself form.
色不异空，空不异色；色即是空，空即是色。 (Sè bù yì kōng, kōng bù yì sè; sè jí shì kōng, kōng jí shì sè.)Yuhua Palace, Shaanxi (Final Chapter & Maha Prajna) (陕西铜川 (玉华寺 · 译毕大般若经与圆寂)) - Age 62
Imperial mountain retreat where Xuanzang translated the Great Prajnaparamita, Shaanxi
'My Work is Finished': A Giant of World Civilization Enters Nirvana
At Yuhua Palace, Xuanzang completed the translation of the 600-volume 'Great Prajnaparamita Sutra' before peacefully passing away at age 62. Emperor Gaozong wept: 'The Empire has lost its greatest national treasure!' Over one million citizens attended his funeral in Chang'an.
Xuanzang's task with this sacred scripture is fully finished; when my life expires, I shall depart in peace. Measuring my remaining strength, I shall translate no more.
玄奘此经业务毕矣，命尽当谢。自量气力，不复更经。 (Xuánzàng cǐ jīng yèwù bì yǐ, mìng jìn dāng xiè. Zì liàng qìlì, bù fù gèng jīng.)
In-Depth Essays & Philosophical Inquiries on Xuanzang
Browse All Classical Wisdom Essays in Directory
- Who Was Xuanzang? The Real Monk Behind Monkey King & Journey to the West
Who was Xuanzang? Discover the real Tang monk behind Journey to the West, who walked 25,000 km alone across Silk Road deserts to fetch Buddhist scriptures.
