The Accounts of the visits of Chinese Pilgrims Fa – hien (5th Century ) and Xuanzang (7th century) to Buddha Gaya reveal the Indian roots of Buddhism
Posted on November 16th, 2025
Source: AI Overview
The accounts of the Chinese pilgrims Fa-hien (5th century CE) and Xuanzang (7th century CE) confirm that Bodh Gaya is the fundamental site of Buddhism’s origins in India because it is where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Their writings provide detailed historical evidence of the site’s importance as a major pilgrimage center and offer crucial insights into the state of Buddhism in India during their respective visits.
Fa-hien’s Account (Early 5th Century CE)
- Focus on Pilgrimage Sites: Fa-hien visited India around 400 CE during the Gupta period primarily to acquire complete copies of the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules).
- Description of Bodh Gaya: While his account is less detailed on social conditions compared to Xuanzang’s, he meticulously documented the Buddhist sacred sites, including Bodh Gaya. He found Buddhism still flourishing in many areas like Mathura and Pataliputra, but noted that the condition of monasteries in places like Bodh Gaya and Kapilavastu was deteriorating.
- Evidence of Active Practice: His account highlights the widespread veneration of the Buddha’s relics and the existence of numerous monasteries of both Mahayana and Hinayana schools, indicating that the roots of Buddhism were still visible and actively practiced in some areas, though its influence was waning in others.
Xuanzang’s Account (7th Century CE)
- Focus on Documentation and Study: Traveling in the 7th century CE, Xuanzang’s primary purpose was to study Buddhism at its source, collect original scriptures, and visit the places associated with the Buddha’s life. He spent significant time at the great Nalanda University, studying logic, grammar, and Yogacara Buddhism.
- Description of Bodh Gaya: Xuanzang’s records provide a more detailed and extensive view of the religious landscape. He visited Bodh Gaya and described the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, confirming its central importance.
- Evidence of Decline: A key aspect of Xuanzang’s account is his documentation of the decline of Buddhism in India compared to Fa-hien’s time. He noted the ascendancy of Hinduism (Brahmanism) and observed many deserted monasteries in places like Kapilavastu. However, in other areas like Nalanda, thousands of monks still resided, indicating that while declining, the religion was far from extinct.
Conclusion
The accounts of these two pilgrims, separated by two centuries, provide a chronological perspective on the state of Buddhism in India. They confirm that the fundamental roots of Buddhism are in sites like Bodh Gaya and other locations in the Gangetic plains, but they also serve as vital historical sources documenting the changing religious dynamics and the gradual decline of Buddhism in its land of origin over time.
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Source: AI Overview
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