A Record of Buddhistic Kingdom

“A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms” is a travelogue written by the Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian (also spelt Fa-Hien or Fa Xian). This historical account provides valuable insights into the journey of Faxian as he embarked on a pilgrimage to India during the 5th century CE. Faxian’s travels took place during a time when Buddhism was flourishing in India and he sought to collect and bring back to China Buddhist scriptures and texts that were not available in his homeland. His journey covered vast distances taking him through a variety of terrains kingdoms and regions. The “Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms” is a detailed account of Faxian’s experiences during his pilgrimage. In it he describes the landscapes cultures and people he encountered along the way. Faxian also documents the state of Buddhism in India including the monasteries practices and teachings he observed. This travelogue is not only a significant historical document but also an essential source for understanding the spread and development of Buddhism in Asia. Faxian’s writings offer a glimpse into the religious cultural and social aspects of the regions he traversed making it a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Buddhism and ancient Asian history. It continues to be studied and appreciated for its contributions to our understanding of early Buddhist traditions and the historical context in which they thrived.