Author: I - Tsing
J Takakusu/
Translator(s): J Takakusu
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal
Year: 1998
Language: English
Pages: 283
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8121501687
Description
Travelling for trade is common, for pleasure is not unusual, but for pursuit of religious lore is rather rare. This has been so in all ages. The Chinese traveler of the seventh century AD, I-tsing belongs to the last class.
I-tsing had mastered the Vinaya Pitakas of Buddhism before he set out on his travels which lasted for twenty-five years and which covered more than thirty countries. His objective was to secure the authentic texts of the Mulasarvastivada school from India so that the erroneous views of the Chinese scholars of Vinaya Pitakas could be corrected. The hazardous voyage from China to India in a Persian trading vessel did not dampen his zeal. He collected some 400 Sanskrit texts in India. He reached China in Ad 695 and spent the rest of his life in translating them.
The distinguishing trait of I-tsing’s work, A Record of the Buddhist Religion as Practiced in India and the Malay Archipelago, is his reticence to talk about himself and his enthusiasm in compressing a vast array of data on Buddhism into an interesting and handy narrative. It provides a veritable mine of information on Indian literature and Buddhism.
Contents
Map of I-Tsing's Route to India and Back, with some Geographical names mentioned in his record.
Letter from the Right Honourable Professor F Max Muller to Mr J Takakusu.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Preliminary Remarks
The Life and Travels of I-tsing
Notes on some Geographical Names
The Date of I-tsing’s Work
The Text
Additional Notes to the Map
A record of Buddhist practices sent home from the Southern sea by I-Tsing:
INTRODUCTION
1. Regarding the non-observance of the Varsha (or Vassa, Summer retreat).
2. Behaviour towards the honoured.
3. On sitting on a small chair at dinner.
4. Distinction between pure and impure food.
5. Cleansing after meals.
6. Two jugs for keeping water.
7. The morning inspection of water as to insects.
8. Use of tooth-woods.
9. Rules about the reception at the Upavasatha-day.
10. Necessary food and clothing.
11. The mode of wearing garments.
12. Rules concerning the Nun's dress and funeral.
13. Consecrated grounds.
14. The summer-retreat of the five parishads.
15. Concerning the Pravarana day.
16. About spoons and chop-sticks.
17. Proper occasion for salutation.
18. Concerning evacuation.
19. Rules of ordination.
20. Bathing at proper times.
21. Concerning the mat to sit on.
22. Rules of sleeping and resting.
23. On the advantage of proper exercise to health.
24. Worship not mutually dependent.
25. Behaviour between teacher and pupil.
26. Conduct towards strangers or friends.
27. On symptoms of bodily illness.
28. Rules on giving medicine.
29. Hurtful medical treatment must not be practised.
30. On turning to the right in worship.
31. Rules of decorum in cleansing the sacred object to worship.
32. The ceremony of chanting.
33. An unlawful salutation.
34. The method of learning in the west.
35. The rule as to hair.
36. The arrangement of affairs after death.
37. The use of the common property of the Sangha.
38. The burning of the body is unlawful.
39. The bystanders become guilty.
40. Such actions were not practised by the virtuous of old.
Names of the books which are referred to in I-Tsing's works, but not found in the India office collection.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
CORRIGENDA
INDEX