unprofitable undertaking involving many hardships. How do you think about it?" Kumarajiva replied, 'As long as I can spread the truth and justice all over the world, I can endure anything. I don't repent."

At that time, Fujlan, the ruler of Qianqid, heard of the great name of Kumarajiva. He intended to invite Kumarajiv to preach Buddhism in the Kingdom. So he ordered his general Lu Guang to command an army, of 70,000, attacking Kizil in AD 382. Next year, Lu Guang conquered Kiali and more than 30 small countries in the Western Regions. He captured a great amount of valuables and returned with Kumaraiiva.

Kumarajiva was but a young man in his twenties. Lu Guang didn't believe in his ability and mad fun of the young man very often. Kumarajlva quietly tolerated. One day, Lu Guang's army encamped at the foot of the mountain. Kumarajiva had forecasted the arrival of forthcoming strong storm and persuaded Lu Guang to move the army upward to the top of the mountain. Lu Guang turned a deaf ear to his advice. At midnight, a rainstorm poured down, and thousands of soldiers were drowned and washed away in a major land slide. From then on, Lu Guang changed Ids arrogant attitude toward Kumarajiva and consulted him almost on everything.

In Ids late years, Kumarajiva preached Buddhist Scripture in Caotang 'lkmple (in present Hu Coun~ Shaanxi Province). There were 3,000 disciples receiving his teaching. In AD 4o9, he died in Chang'an. His body was cremated according to indian Buddhist tradition and his ashes were kept in Caotang Temple.

Kumarajiva was a rigorous, studious monk. He was well versed in Sanskrit and Chinese. During the 8 years of his stay in Chang'an, he had translated 98 titles of Buddhist Scripture in 425 volumes. When translating, Kumarajiva hekl Buddhist Scripture in hand and read his Chinese version aloud. Wherever coming across difficult paragraphs, he stopped to consult disciples until found a perfect translation. His translating not only publicized Buddhist classics but also improved the  Sanskrit of Chinese scholars.

 Chinese monks going westward along the SilK Road

MIonks from tile Western Regions came to China to preach Buddhism. They inspired generations of Chinese monks to go to the Western Regions and India for learning Buddhist Scripture for themselves. At that time, Buddhism was wide spread ali over China. Temples were scattered everywhere. But original Buddhist classics were scares in the Kingdom and sought after by all the new created temples.The poor translation always led to differences in understanding. Consequently, some ambitious Chinese monks made up their minds to go to the "Western Heaven" and to bring back the true Buddhist Scripture.

According to historical records, Zhu Shixing in the period of Three Kingdoms was the first Chinese who went westward for Buddhist Scriptures. In AD 26o, he reached Yutian (in the present Hotan,Xinjiang). Faxian in the period of East Jin was the first Chinese who reached India.

Faxian, born in Linfen County, in the north of China's Shanxi Province, lived in Chang'an as a monk in the early period of Houqin. At that time, Kumarajiva hadn't arrived in Chang'an. Faxian felt a lack of Buddhist Scripture. Faxian and several other monks, including Huiiing, Huiying, Huiwei and Daozheng, decided to go to Tenjiku for Buddhist Scripture. In the middle of March AD 399, they left Chang'an.

They went westward through desert, experienced untold hardships and tribulations, passing through more than 30 countries, including Kashmir, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. When they traveled though the 5,2oo meters high Sunaman Mountain, Huijing was frozen to death in a storm. He said to FaxJan, "I'm dying. You must live and forge ahead."

Chinese manuscript  of Buddhist read in  Dunhuang Caves.

Faxian with tears in the eyes, determined to reach the final destination.He soceeeded eventually

Faxian lived in India for 3 years, learned Sanskrit and copies many volumes of Buddhist Scripture. Afterwards, he crossed the sea along with merchants and arrived at the so called Lion country-Sri Lanka. Lie stayed there for 2 years. By that time, he was alone. All his companions died on the way or abandoned the effort and left. One day he saw a merchant offered a white, circular Chinese fan before Buddha. The scene evoked his nostalgic feelings for the homeland. He decided to return to China.

In July AD 404, Faxian returned to Qingdao China. More than 5 years elapsed since he left Chang'an. He brought back witb him many volumes of Buddhist Scriptures. Based on his own experiences, he wrote a book, entitled Traw, ls in Buddha Countries, which still is an important book in the study of the Silk Road, the histories of countries in the Western Regions and India.

103 years after the return of Faxian, another monk in Dunhuang,Gansu, called Songyun, was ordered to go to the Western Regions, searching for Buddhist literature, l Ie had the company o f Huisheng. They felt Luoyang and reached Qinghai after 40 days of long and difficult journey

A map showing the route of monk Faxian's journey to India

Travels ha Buddha Countlies by monk Faxian,an important book whidl has been transloted into many languag,'s in tbe world

They kept traveling to Shanshan, Yutian, and eventually entered Afghanistan and Pakistan. In AD 522, they came back to Luoyang, briging with them 170 tides of Scripture literature and records of what they had seen and heard on the way.

A route map of Song Yun's journey to the west,from the book Luoyang ianlan ji.

Songyun and Hnisheng had been to thc capital of Uiyna, a country in the present Pakistan, visited Tuoluo Temple and the relics of Buddha.They told the king about great Chinese philosophers, such as Confucius,Zhuang Zi, Lao Zi and famous ancient doctor Hua  Tuo. The king was delighted and become friendly with them. He called them "the persons,coming from the sun rising country" He was yearning for China.