Question

Who was Fa-Hien? When did he come to India?

Hint:

Fa-Hien's travels provided valuable historical and cultural insights into India during the 5th century and significantly contributed to the dissemination of Buddhism to China and other parts of Asia.

Answer 1

Fa-Hien was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveler who is best known for his travels to India during the Gupta period. He is one of the earliest travelers from China who documented his experiences and observations in his book "A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms". His journey to India is considered a significant historical event because it provides valuable insights into the social, religious, and political conditions in India during the early 5th century.
Step 1: Fa-Hien's Background.
Fa-Hien, originally named Xuánzāng, was a scholar of Buddhism and wanted to study the Buddhist scriptures in India, the land of its origin. His journey was primarily motivated by his quest to acquire authentic Buddhist texts and study the practices of Buddhism in its birthplace. Fa-Hien was part of a group of monks who traveled to India to learn from the Buddhist teachers there.
Step 2: Fa-Hien's Arrival in India.
Fa-Hien arrived in India in c. 399 CE. He traveled to various places across India, including regions like the northwestern frontier, where he visited significant Buddhist sites like Peshawar, Mathura, and the famous Buddhist centers in the Gangetic plains. During his time in India, he was able to study Buddhist texts, meet several Buddhist scholars, and observe the social and religious practices of the time.
Step 3: Importance of Fa-Hien's Journey.
Fa-Hien's visit to India was instrumental in helping to promote the spread of Buddhism to China. His detailed observations provided the first significant account of early medieval Indian society and its Buddhist culture. His records are also important because they mention the Gupta empire, its governance, and the peaceful conditions under which Buddhism flourished.