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Xuanzang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who embarked on a significant pilgrimage to India in 629 CE, seeking spiritual and scholarly enlightenment. His journey along the Silk Road to Nalanda University and his subsequent return to China with a wealth of Buddhist texts transformed the religious and cultural landscape of East Asia. His translations and detailed accounts of his travels are crucial to the understanding of medieval Central Asian history.
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Xuanzang was born into a Confucian family in Henan province, China
Despite his family's background, Xuanzang was drawn to Buddhism from a young age
Xuanzang became a fully ordained monk at the age of twenty
Xuanzang's desire to resolve discrepancies in Buddhist texts and a vision drove him to undertake the pilgrimage to India
Xuanzang faced harsh climates, treacherous terrain, and the threat of bandits on his journey along the Silk Road
Xuanzang's reputation as a scholar and monk often secured him safe passage and support from rulers he encountered
Xuanzang arrived at the ancient Nalanda University in Bihar, India, around 637 CE
Xuanzang spent several years at Nalanda, engaging with the monastic community and participating in philosophical debates
Xuanzang collected numerous texts and relics during his stay at Nalanda, which would later become invaluable to the understanding of Buddhism in China
Xuanzang was welcomed back to China by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who pardoned him for leaving without permission
Xuanzang devoted the rest of his life to translating the Buddhist scriptures he collected during his journey
Xuanzang's journey significantly enhanced Sino-Indian relations and contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation of Indian culture among the Chinese