Which of the following statements is / are true ? Faxian’s Gaoseng F

Which of the following statements is / are true ?

  • Faxian’s Gaoseng Faxian Zhuan was the earliest first-hand Chinese account of Buddhist sites and practices in India
  • Faxian was only 25 years old at the time of writing the text
  • Faxian’s main aim in coming to India was to obtain and take back texts containing monastic rules

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3
2 only
1 and 3 only
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Statement 1: Faxian’s work, “A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms” (Foguo Ji), is considered one of the earliest and most valuable first-hand accounts by a Chinese traveler of Buddhist sites, practices, and conditions in India and Sri Lanka from his travels in the early 5th century CE. This statement is true.
Statement 2: Faxian undertook his journey to India at an advanced age, seeking authentic Buddhist scriptures. Historical accounts suggest he was quite old, possibly in his sixties, when he began the perilous journey, and was over 80 when he returned and completed his work. The statement that he was only 25 is false.
Statement 3: Faxian’s primary motivation for traveling to India was to obtain Vinaya texts (monastic rules), as he found the versions available in China incomplete or corrupt. He also sought other scriptures like Sutras and Abhidharma. This statement is true.
Faxian’s journey began around 399 CE and lasted about 15 years. His account provides valuable insights into the geography, society, culture, and Buddhist traditions of the regions he visited, including parts of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent (including Pataliputra, Mathura, Sarnath, Rajgir), and Sri Lanka.
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