Dharma Documentaries

Dharma. Culture. Ecology.

Menu
  • Dharma
  • Culture
  • Ecology
  • Archives
  • About
Menu

The Journey of Xuanzang 9 & 10

Posted on June 3, 2011December 26, 2016 by Dharma Documentaries
These two episodes cover the last years of Xuanzang's sojourn in Nalanda, his great debates, and eventually his departure, and return across the Silk Road to the China of the Tang Dynasty.

For information on the background of this series see The Introduction.


Part Nine:

This episode is set 14 years after Xaunzang left Chang-an. He is still in Nalanda, where he had been engaging in debates in defence of the yogacara doctrine, and his teacher’s reputation.

A great debate is scheduled by King Harsha, who is remembered as a second Asoka. It is held at his capital Kannauj, with over 20 Kings attending and 2,000 religious, including Hindus and Hinayanists.

According to legend Xuangzang spoke for 18 days and no one dared challenge him, and he earned the titles Mahayanadeva and Moksadeva. This was his single greatest achievement during his stay in India.

All during his time there he had been collecting scriptures to take back to China so that the true doctrine could be established on firm ground in his home country, and by the end of this episode he begins his homeward journey, crossing the Pamirs once again.

Part Ten:

This episode gives a concise account of Xuanzang’s return trip to the Tang Empire in China. He crossed the Pamirs through the Wakhan Corrider, and then through the small kingdonms of Gorband and Kashgar, until he reached Yutian.

It was from here that he sent a letter to the Emperor recounting his journey and what he had accomplished and asking for forgiveness. The reply took half a year to arrive, but the Emperor not only forgave him, but organised his return journey.

From there he crossed through Khotan, Niya and Dunhuang. This section also recounts the travels made by Aurel Stein in the early 20th century, who relied on Xuangzang’s book to guide him.

After 19 years he finally received a great welcome back in Chang-an, having traveled 25,000 kilometres, and been through 110 states!

 

if this video is no longer available please leave a comment so I can update the page
(the comment is not published)

 

Some Stills from the Documentary

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAGS:
Dharma, China, Mahayana, Silk Road

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Subscriptions

Follow our Facebook Page Follow our Tweets Subscribe by Email Subscribe to our Feed

Shortlink and QR

https://dharma-documentaries.net/b/1GX

Donations

This site has taken more than 10 years to build, and has 800+ documentaries on it. If you would like to support the expenses involved, you can do so here. Even small amounts help.

choose amount:  


Donations can also be sent in Litecoin to the following address: LQZ9fVHF3wL6ihwEUcRFiCpcD7f2dfd3Kp

Copyright

If anyone has any copyright claims please contact me at dharmadocus@gmail.com and the posts and films will be immediately removed.

Top Ten Tags

Theravada
Mahayana
Vajrayana

India
Silk Road
China
Tibet

Arts
Lectures
Rights

Popular Posts

  • The Freedom of being a Buddhist Nun
  • Bright and Shining Mind in a Disabled Body
  • The Leshan Giant Buddha Statue
  • The Silk Road Series 7/16: Khotan-Oasis of Silk and Jade
  • David Eckel: Buddhism 3-4 of 24
  • The Tibetan Oracles
  • The Mountain Yogi, Lama Govinda
  • Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Untold Truth
  • Indian Roots of Tibetan Buddhism
  • The Journey of Xuanzang: An Introduction

Recent Posts

  • Lama La
  • The Living Universe
  • The Nomadic Night
  • Orphans of Tibet
  • To Play Kutiyattam with the Master
  • The Young Girl and the Monkey
  • The Celestial Dance of Bhutan
  • Kabuki, the Path of the Flowers
  • A Young Shaman’s Quest Across Mongolia
  • Himalaya, Land of Women

Random Posts

  • The Land of the Disappearing Buddha – Japan
  • The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Way of Life
  • China Cultural Heritage: Block Printing
  • Takasera, a Portrait of a Himalayan Village
  • Angkor, Land of the Gods: 02 Throne of Power
  • The Buddha comes to Sussex
  • Buddha in Suburbia
  • Prasad Bhandarkar: Bansuri Raga Shivranjani
  • Priest Meets Buddha, Seokguram Grotto
  • Act Normal

Related Posts

  • Xuan Zang, Eminent Monk
  • Xuan Zang (2016 Film)
  • David Eckel: Buddhism 9-10 of 24
  • The Journey of Xuanzang 7 & 8
  • The Journey of Xuanzang 5 & 6
  • The Journey of Xuanzang 3 & 4
  • The Journey of Xuanzang 1 & 2
  • The Journey of Xuanzang: An Introduction
  • Introduction to The Silk Road Series
  • Indiana Jones 15, The Guardians of Dunhuang
© 2021 Dharma Documentaries | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme