The write-up explores the seventh-century journey of the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang, also known as Hiuen Tsang, from China to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. Xuanzang's extensive Kashmir records provide insights into the geography, culture, and state of Buddhism in the regions he encountered. In Kashmir, he describes a treacherous rocky pass forming a natural barrier, surrounded by high mountains, making the kingdom defensible. The capital city, with a large river, is agriculturally fertile, cold, and inhabited by people following both Buddhist and non-Buddhist religions. Xuanzang recounts the founding legend of Kashmir, involving the Buddhist saint Madhyantika, transforming a lake into land and establishing Buddhism. Xuanzang highlights numerous Buddhist sites, monasteries, and relics in Kashmir, shedding light on its significance as a hub of Buddhism. The text delves into the legend of King Kanishka's fourth-century Buddhist council in Kashmir, emphasizing its i
Baramulla
Jammu-and-kashmir
India
Kashmir
Guanyin
Sichuan
China
Harwan
Valley-of-kashmir
Jammu
Chinese
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