audiobook Shapers of Japanese Buddhism by Yusen Kashiwahara; Koyu Sonoda in History

Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ... THE TRAVELS OF FA-HIAN. BUDDHIST-COUNTRY-RECORDS. By Fa-hian; the S'dkya of the Sung (Dynasty). [date; 400 A.d.] I. Fa-hian; when formerly residing at Ch'ang-an;1 regretted the imperfect condition of the Vinaya pitaka. Whereupon; afterwards; in the second year of Hung-shi; the cyclic year being Chi-hai? he agreed with Hwui-king; Tao-ching; Hwui-ying; Hwui-wu; and others; to go to India for the purpose of seeking the rules and regulations (of the Vinaya). Starting on their way from Ch'ang-an; they crossed the Lung (district) and reached the country of K'ien-kwei;s here they rested during the rains. The season of the rains being over; going forward; they came to the country of Niu-t'an;4 crossing the Yang-lu hills; they reached Chang-yeh;5 a military station. Chang-yeh at this time was much disturbed; and the roadways were not open. The king6 of Chang-yeh being anxious; kept them there; himself entertaining them. Thus they met Chi-yen; Hwui-kin; Sang-shau; Pao-yun; Sang-king; and others; pleased that they were like-minded; they kept the rainy season together. The rainy season being over; they again pressed on to reach Tun-hwang.7 The fortifications here are perhaps 80 li in extent from east to west; and 40 li from north to south. They all stopped here a month and some days; when Fa-hian and others; five men in all; set out first; in the train of an official; and so again parted with Pao-yun and the rest. The prefect of Tun-hwang; called Li-ho; provided them with means to cross the desert (sand-river)? In this desert are many evil demons and hot winds; when encountered; then all die without exception. There are no flying birds above; no roaming beasts below; but everywhere gazing as far as the eye can reach in search of the onward route; it...