Xian Great Wild Goose Pagoda (3)

During the early Tang Dynasty Era (618 AD - 907 AD) the Famed Monk Xuanzang, who is credited with bringing vital knowledge of buddhism from India, passed through JiaYuGuan. He did so around 630 AD, when he was on his way from Chang'An (on the outskirts of current day Xian in Shaanxi Province), the Tang Dynasty Capital and largest City in the world at the Time to far away India. In fact, on his way along the Silk Road Xuanzang’s itinerary included Lanzhou, the vital crossing point at the yellow river and starting point of the Hexi Corridor in eastern Gansu Province; Dunhuang in far west Gansu Province where Xuanzang left the safeness of the Chinese Empire through the Jade Gate (YuMen); at the North End of the Hexi Corridor. His Journey went on through Turpan and Khotan in Xinjiang-Uygur AR, to move via Bamiyan in Afghanistan on to Bodhgaya, North India, site of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. Xuanzang also visited the Vulture's Peak, where he is said to have received direct instructions from the Buddha himself. As a last part of his Indian Adventure Xuanzang stayed a considerable length of Time studying buddhism at the great Buddhist university of Nalanda before finally attempting the journey home to Chang'An.

After his return from India and the Silk Road Xuanzang became a Great teacher, who was installed by a benevolent Emperor in the Big Goose Pagoda in Xian. There the Buddhist texts Xuanzang brought back from India were translated, discussed and stored. A University of Biudhism was established. The Monk Xuanzang has his Final resting place and tomb at Xingjiao Temple near Xian.