Two monks to retrace Buddhist odyssey
By Zhu Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-17 05:42

Xuanzang, a Buddhist pilgrim who endured a 17-year trip from China to India 1350 years ago, now has successors to his odyssey.

Two Buddhist monks from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, with two scholars from Hong Kong and Macao, are scheduled to set out this May from the ancient city of Xi'an, in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In a six-month trip, they will follow in the footsteps of Xuanzang, crossing Pakistan and Nepal to Nalanda, the once famous centre of Buddhist learning in India where Xuanzang used to reside.

But unlike Xuanzang, his successors are not looking for Sanskrit texts. Instead, they are hoping for better communication and cultural exchange between the two countries, said the Venerable Xuecheng, vice-president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, at a Beijing press conference yesterday.

He described the trip as "very significant," as this year marks the Year of China-India Friendship. The journey will also give the public a better understanding of Buddhism, he said.

As a representative from Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee, the Venerable Huikuan said that peace and harmony among peoples are the two ultimate goals of the trip.

"Having a Taiwan monk in the trip may also promote cultural exchange between the mainland and Taiwan."

The group will carry valuable gifts for Nalanda, including a Liuzu (Huineng, a famous monk in 632-713) Altar Sutra embroidered on silk, a Sakyamuni Statue and a copy of an ancient Chinese book, "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" by Xuanzang's disciple Bianji.

"The embroidered Liuzu Altar Sutra is the most valuable gift as it is the only Sutra originated in China," said Shi Zhongyao, secretary-general of the trip organizing committee. "Others were all translated from Sanskrit," he added.

He also confirmed that four candidates have already been chosen, but no details were available. He said the four candidates will walk part of Xuanzang's path but travel by vehicle for the rest. "We don't have enough time to walk the whole way," he said. "It would take at least two years if we were to do so."

The Taiwan-based Eastern TV and Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV will follow the trip and give live broadcasts. Also with the trip are two traditional Chinese painters who will record the journey in calligraphy and paintings.

The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese Buddhist Association and the Chinese Cultural Promotion Society will jointly stage the trip.

Other activities to celebrate the Year of China-India Friendship include two ancient Indian music concerts at the Jiayu Pass, the western end of the Great Wall in Northwest China's Gansu Province and Kuche in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo and painting exhibitions will also be held in Beijing and New Delhi after the journey's completion.

(China Daily 01/17/2006 page2)