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Xuanzang's studies were interrupted in 618 when the Sui dynasty collapsed.His brother and him fled to Northwest Chang'an from there they went to Chengdu in Sichuan along with other monks. His brother and him studied for 2-3 years at different Buddhist schools.Later, in 622, Xuanzang was fully ordained a Monk at age 20.
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The king was a devout Buddhist and they were both excited to meet each other. Xuanzang changed his route in order to stop in Turfan.The king wanted him to become a spiritual perceptor for his kingdom.Xuanzang kindly rejects his offer because he must continue his journey.The king threatens to keep him there by force or send him back to his country.After four days the king is ashamed and allows him to leave.
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Following the historical route along the Tian Shan Mts., he arrives in Kucha.Kusha seemed to have an important center of Buddhism along the Northern Silk road. It has Buddhist statues ove 90ft tall. Xuanzang visited 12 monasteries and the kingdom had no fewer than 5,000 monks.
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When he reaches the cave, five robbers draw swords at him.He explains his purpose and journey and they are surprised; they later join him and convert.He entered the caves and saw nothing, he repeated chants,recites surtas, and prays. He sees the light and sees the Buddha's shadow.
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Xuanzang mentioned 4 Asoka stupas housing Buddhist relics. There were 5,000 buddhist monks and 100 monasteries..Here he is lectured about te great treatise (Treasury of Buddhist Philosophy)by a Mahayanist sage.His evenings were devoted to secular studies like grammar and logic.Here was where he was challenged just as he hoped.He studied buddhist schools and collected treatises to take back to China. In his free time he studies Buddhist scriptures.
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Here was his last important stop before the holy land of Buddhism. By the Yamuna River he was shown a large Buddhist temple. Here there was a Sandalwood image of the Buddha, a stone canopy surrounded it.
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Kusinagara was the death place of the budddha.Xuanzang passed through forests with wild animals and savage bandits to reach this point. He paid homage at the place where the Buddha's coffin was.He also stopped at each of the three towers that commemorated the 3 times the Buddha appeared from his coffin.
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After Xuuazang's 10,000 mile journey he returned to Chang'an.(Tang Capital) People gathered in large crowds to greet him.He acomplished his mission and returned with a large amount of Buddhist Sriptures.
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Xuanzang had a dream that influenced his travels to India. In this dream he sees Mt. Sumeru. It is sacred and made of gold,silver,beryl,and crystal surrounded by a Great Sea. A mighty whirlwind raises him to the summit, showing an unending horizon, A symbol of the countless places he hopes to visit. He wakes up and decided to travel to India he has seen what he must do.
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Xuanzang leaves China at night making his way safely past watchtowers and the Jade Gate. The Jade gate was the last outpost of the Tang Dynasty.During this time the emperor of the Tang Dynasty did not accept Buddhism and didn't allow his people to travel to the Western regions.
