A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms

Abstract

Little is known about the 5th-century Chinese monk Fâ-hien beyond what he himself tells us in the journals of his travels in India and Ceylon from the years 399 to 414 in search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline. But as he follows in the footsteps of the Buddha, revisiting the legendary places of the faith, his wise observations reveal an enlightenment that transcends time. Traveling from China to India and back again to China via Ceylon and the South East Asian Islands. Among the places visited by the monk are Khotan, Skardu, Crossings of the Indus, Udyana, Gandhara, Takshashila, Peshawar, Nagara, Mathura, Kosala, Kapilavastu, Vaishali, Rejagriha, Gaya, Patna and Ceylon. An important primary source on the traditions and beliefs of Buddhism, this 1886 translation -- complete with copious notes on Buddhist ideas and rituals, particular translations, illustrated with drawings, poetic idioms, and annotations -- is still considered the best English-language version available. Scottish scholar James Legge (1815-1897) was the first professor of Chinese language and literature at Oxford University, serving from 1876 to 1897. Among his many books are The Life and Teaching of Confucius (1867), The Religions of China (1880), and the 50-volume Sacred Books of the East (1879-1891).