Xuanzang, a Buddhist pilgrim who endured a 17-year trek from
China to India 1350 years ago, will have his steps retraced by two
Buddhist monks.
The monks from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, along with two
scholars from Hong Kong and Macao, are scheduled to set off on
their journey this May from the ancient city of Xi'an, in northwest
China's Shaanxi
Province.
During the six-month trip, they will retrace the routes Xuanzang
trekked across Pakistan and Nepal to Nalanda, the once famous
center of Buddhist learning in India where Xuanzang used to
reside.
Xuanzang's travels are well documented in the Chinese literature
classic, Journey to the West.
But unlike Xuanzang, his successors are not looking for Sanskrit
texts. Instead, they are hoping for better communication and
cultural exchange between China and India, the Venerable Xuecheng,
vice president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, said at a
Beijing press conference yesterday.
He described the trip as "very significant," as this year marks
the Year of China-India Friendship. The journey will also give the
public a better understanding of Buddhism, he said.
As a representative from Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan Religious
Affairs Committee, the Venerable Huikuan said that peace and
harmony among peoples are the ultimate goals of the trip.
"It is hoped that having a Taiwan monk as a member of the
expedition would also promote cultural exchange between the
mainland and Taiwan."
The group will carry gifts to Nalanda, including a Liuzu Altar
Sutra embroidered in silk, a Sakyamuni Statue and a copy of an
ancient Chinese book, "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang
Dynasty" written by Xuanzang's disciple Bianji.
"The embroidered Liuzu Altar Sutra is the most valuable gift as
it is the only Sutra to have originated in China," said Shi
Zhongyao, secretary-general of the trip organizing committee.
"Others were all translated from Sanskrit," he added.
He also confirmed that the four expedition members have already
been chosen, but didn't provide any details. He said the four will
walk part of the way and travel by vehicle for the rest. "We don't
have enough time to walk the whole way," he said. "It would take at
least two years if we did."
The Taiwan-based Eastern TV and Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV
record the journey and give periodic live broadcasts. Two
traditional Chinese painters will also accompany the team. They
will record the journey in calligraphy and paintings.
Co-sponsors of the expedition are the Chinese People's
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the
Chinese Buddhist Association and the Chinese Cultural Promotion
Society.
Other activities to celebrate the Year of China-India Friendship
include two ancient Indian music concerts at the Jiayu Pass, the
western end of the Great
Wall in northwest China's Gansu
Province, and Kuche in northwest China's Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region.
Photo and painting exhibitions will also be held in Beijing and
New Delhi at the end of the expedition.
(China Daily January 17, 2006)