• UGI USER
  • Nov 08, 2023
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Q. Who was Fa Hien? What does he say concerning India?

 

Introduction

  • Introduce a brief on the journey of Fa-Hien.

Body

  • Write about observations made by Fa-Hien during his visit to India.

Conclusion

  • Conclude with Fa-Hien’s invaluable memoirs not only provided a stand-alone account of India’s society and culture but also contributed significantly to the understanding of Buddhism, historical figures, and events.

Answer:

Fa-Hien, also known as Faxian, hailed from Pingyang Wuyang, present-day Linfen City, Shanxi, China, born in AD 337. Orphaned at a young age, he spent most of his life in Buddhist monasteries before embarking on a transformative pilgrimage. At 62 years old, he set out from Chang’an, modern-day Xi’an, on an adventurous journey across Central Asia to India, and eventually, Sri Lanka. Documenting this profound voyage in his travelogue “A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms,” he left a significant independent account of early Buddhist practices in India.

He carried a vast collection of Sanskrit writings, inspiring East Asian Buddhism and providing a foundation for numerous historical figures, events, texts, and ideas. His observations and experiences during his travel provide a comprehensive view of India’s cultural, religious, and social dimensions during the 5th century.

During his journey, Fa-Hien visited various cities and significant sites, painting a vivid picture of India:

  • Buddhist Sites and Monasteries: Notably, he visited Purushapura (Peshawar), where he remembered the prophecy of a monarch named ‘Kanishka’ building a stupa, and he explored renowned sites like Sravasti, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Rajgir, and Taxila, along with Pataliputra, Mathura, and Kannauj. Fa-Hien’s documentation of these places provided insights into the significance of these sites in the Buddhist world.
  • Cultural Observations: In Mathura, a city he characterized as wealthy and peaceful, he noted the vegetarian lifestyle of the citizens, abstaining from alcohol and mainly consuming vegetables like bamboo, pomegranate, and sugarcane. His visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, and his journey along the Ganges showcased the diversity of vegetation, contrasting with his homeland in Han, China.
  • Religious and Social Harmony: Fa-Hien highlighted the coexistence of Buddhism and Hinduism in India, witnessing the growing popularity of Buddhism in regions like Punjab, Bengal, and Mathura while noting the prevalence of Hinduism in the middle kingdom of Chandragupta II. His recordings depicted a society where individuals were generally vegetarian, refraining from meat, onions, and intoxicants, and engaged in charitable acts and moral virtues.
  • Political and Administrative Insights: Although not extensively delving into India’s political situation, he made observations indicating the Gupta Empire’s governance as liberal and prosperous. His writings highlighted the reasonable tax burden, lenient punishments for offenses, free movement of people, and exemptions for religious establishments from taxes.
  • Economic and Trade Observations: Fa-Hien noted the growing internal and external trade in India, particularly the maritime activities, mentioning ports like Cambay, Sopara, and Tamralipti.

Fa-Hien’s invaluable memoirs not only provided a stand-alone account of India’s society and culture but also contributed significantly to the understanding of Buddhism, historical figures, and events. His meticulous records continue to be a crucial resource for scholars and enthusiasts, offering a window into the societal, religious, and cultural dynamics of ancient India.