Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty

Xuanzang is probably the most famous pilgrim on record and deservedly so, given the incredible amount of difficulties he had to overcome to get from Tang China to India in the 7th century, and all in search of what he believed to be the True Dhamma teachings.

His journey began when a famine struck the capital Chang’an and he, along with many others, had to find refuge in the countryside. Xuanzang though didn’t stop there but continued to the border posts, where even a price was put on him to try to force him to return.

Somehow, through his persistence he managed to persuade the governers of these posts to let him continue his journey. It was then that his real struggles began, as crossing first the Taklamakan desert very nearly killed him; and the same later when he crossed the Pamir mountains.

He eventually made it into the Indian heartland and all the way to Nālandā in eastern India, where he undertook his studies of the Mahāyāna teachings, and became, by his own account, an outstanding teacher himself. It was at Nālandā that he began collecting manuscripts, which he continued doing on his journey around India.

After 15 years he returned to China and began the arduous work of translating some of the texts he had brought back with him, a work he continued until his passing.

This film could not possibly give the full story, but it does show representative episodes from his great journey, and it generally had high production values, and it worthwhile seeing for anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the life of this great Chinese pilgrim.