Chapter XL

Fa-Hian resided in this country for two years. Continuing his search, he obtained a copy of the Vinaya Pit aka according to the school of the Mahisasakas. He also obtained a copy of the Great Agama (Dirghagama), and of the Miscellaneous Agama (Samyuktagama) and also a collection of the Miscellaneous Pitak (Sannipata). All these were hitherto unknown in the land of Han. Having obtained these works in the original language (Fan), he forthwith shipped himself on hoard a great merchant vessel, which carried about two hundred men. Astern of the great ship was a smaller one, in case the larger vessel should be injured or wrecked. Having got a fair wind, they sailed eastward for two days, when suddenly a tempest (typhoon) arose, and the ship sprung a leak. The merchants then desired to haul up the smaller vessel, but the crew of that ship, fearing that a crowd of men would rush into her and sink her, cut the towing cable and she fell off. The merchantmen were greatly terrified, expecting their death momentarily. Then dreading lest the leak should gain upon them, they forthwith took their heavy goods and merchandise and cast them overboard.

Fa-Hian also flung overboard his water-pitcher and his washing-basin, and also other portions of his property. He was only afraid lest the merchants should fling into the sea his sacred books and images. And so with earnestness of heart he invoked Avalokitesvara, and paid reverence to the Buddhist saints (the priesthood) of the land of Han, speaking thus: “I indeed have wandered far and wide in search of the law. Oh, bring me back again, by your spiritual power, to reach some resting-place.” And so the hurricane blew on for thirteen days and nights; they then arrived at the shore of a small island, and on the tide going out they found the place of the leak. Having forthwith stopped it np, they again put to sea on their onward voyage. In this ocean there are many pirates, who, coming on you suddenly, destroy everything. The sea itself is boundless in extent; it is impossible to know east or west except by observing the sun, moon, or stars, and so progress. If it is dark, rainy weather, the only plan is to steer by the wind without guide. During the darkness of night we only see the great waves beating one against the other and shining like fire, whilst shoals of sea-monsters of every description (surround the ship). The merchants, perplexed, knew not towards what land they were steering. The sea was bottomless and no soundings could be found, so that there was no chance of anchoring. At length, the weather clearing up, they got their right bearings, and once more shaped a correct course and proceeded onwards; but if (during the bad weather) they had happened to have struck on a hidden rock, there could have been no escape.

Thus they voyaged for ninety days and more, when they arrived at a country called Ye-po-ti (Java, or, perhaps, Sumatra). In this country heretics and Brahmans flourish, but the law of Buddha is not much known. Stopping here the hest portion of five months, Fa-Hian again embarked on board another merchant vessel, having also a crew of two hundred men or so. They took with them fifty days’ provisions, and set sail on the 16th day of the fourth month. Fa-Hian kept his “rest” on hoard this ship. They shaped a course north-east for Kwang-chow. After a month and some days, when sounding the middle watch of the night, a black squall suddenly came on, accompanied with pelting rain. The merchantmen and passengers were all terrified. Fa-Hian at this time also, with great earnestness of mind, again entreated Avalokitesvara and all the priesthood of China to exert their divine power in their favour, and protect them till daylight.

When the day broke, all the Brahmans, consulting together, said,

“It is because we have got this Sramana on board we have no luck, and have incurred this great mischief. Come, let us land this Bhikshu on any island we meet, and let us not all perish for the sake of one man.”

The religious patron (Danapati) of Fa-Hian then said,

“If you land this Bhikshu, you shall also land me with Rim; and if not, you had better kill me: for if you put this Sramana on shore, then, when I arrive in China, I will go straight to the king and report you; and the king of that country is a firm believer in the law of Buddha, and greatly honours the Bhikshus and priests.”

The merchantmen on this hesitated, and (in the end) did not dare to land him. The weather continuing very dark, the pilot’s observations were perversely wrong. Nearly seventy days had now elapsed. The rice for food and the water for congee were nearly all done. They had to use salt water for cooking, whilst they gave out to every man about two pints of fresh water. And now, when this was just exhausted, the merchants held a conversation and said, “The proper time for the voyage to Kwang-Chow is about fifty days, hut now we have exceeded that time these many days—shall we be perverse?” On this they put the ship on a north-west course to look for land. After twelve days’ continuous sailing, they arrived at the southern coast of Lau-Shan which borders on the prefecture of Chang-Kwang. They then obtained good fresh water and vegetables; and so, after passing through so many dangers and difficulties and such a succession of anxious days, (the pilgrim) suddenly arrived at this shore.

On seeing the Li-ho vegetable (a sort of reed), he was confident that this was indeed the land of Han. But not seeing any men or traces of life, they knew not what place it was. Some said they had not yet arrived at Kwang-chow, others maintained they had passed it. In their uncertainty, therefore, they put off in a little boat, and entered a creek to look for some one to ask where they were. Meeting with two hunters, they got them to go back with them, making Fa-Hian interpret their words and question them. Fa-Hian having first tried to inspire them with confidence, then leisurely asked them, “What men are you?” They replied, “We are disciples of Buddha.” Then he asked, “What do you look for in these mountains here?” They prevaricated, and said, “To-morrow is the 15th day of the seventh month, and we were anxious to catch something to sacrifice to Buddha.” Again he asked, “What country is this?” They replied, “This is Tsing-Chow, on the borders of the prefecture of Chang-Kwang, dependent on the house of Lin.” Having heard this, the merchants were very glad, and immediately begging that their goods might be landed, they deputed men to go with them to Chang-Kwang. The prefect, Li-I, who was a faithful follower of the law of Buddha, hearing that there was a Sramana arrived with sacred books and images in a ship from beyond the seas, immediately proceeded to the shore with his followers to escort the hooks and sacred figures to the seat of his government.

After this the merchants returned towards Yang-Chow. Meanwhile Liu arriving at Tsing-Chow, entertained Fa-Hian for the whole winter and summer. The summer period of rest being over, Fa-Hian, removed from the society of his fellow-priests for so long, was anxious to get back to Chang’an. But as his plans were important, he directed his course first towards the southern capital. Having met the priests, he exhibited the sacred hooks he had brought back.

Fa-Hian, leaving Chang’an, was five years in arriving at Mid-India. He resided there during six years,and was three years more before he arrived at Tsing-Chow. He had successively passed through nearly thirty different countries. In all the countries of India, after passing the sandy desert, the dignified carriage of the priesthood and the surprising influence of religion cannot be adequately described. But because our learned doctors had not heard of these things, he was induced, regardless of personal risk, to cross the seas, and to encounter every kind of danger in returning home. Having been preserved by divine power (by the three honourable ones), and brought through all dangers safely, he was further induced to commit to writing these records of his travels, desiring that honourable readers might be informed of them as well as himself.