It is estimated that the vast majority of the first historical celebrities known to Chinese people are "Tang Sanzang". When I was a child, I loved to hear adults telling myths and legends such as "Huluwa","Nezha" and "Journey to the West". Among them, only the Tang Priest in "Journey to the West" is a real historical figure. Tang Sanzang, also known as Xuanzang, was a famous eminent monk in the Tang Dynasty and the founder of Xiangzong of Buddhism (also known as Weishi Sect and Cien Sect). Xuanzang was an eminent monk who was both knowledgeable and highly knowledgeable. When he was young, he lamented that various Buddhist classics were different, so he decided to travel westward to seek Dharma. After seventeen years of ups and downs, a large number of scriptures and theories have been brought back from India, which has greatly promoted the development of Buddhism in my country.

An unparalleled generation of eminent monks

Since Master Xuanzang returned to China in the 19th year of Zhenguan, he began a long 20-year road of translating scriptures, translating a total of 75 volumes of 1335 volumes on the Great and Small Dynasties Sutra. The translation work received strong support from the then Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang has traveled to more than 200 countries and city-states and is far-sighted. During the first meeting, Emperor Taizong was deeply impressed by Xuanzang's cultivation and insight. After that, he wanted to include him in the court many times, but after being politely refused, he still often asked him to accompany him and accompany him. Therefore, Xuanzang's scripture translation venues include not only Dacien Temple, but also Jicui Palace in Luoyang, Ximing Temple in Chang 'an, Yuhua Temple, etc. In the end, Xuanzang passed away in Yuhua Palace in the first year of Linde of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty.

Initially, Xuanzang was buried on Bailu Yuan in the eastern suburbs of Chang 'an. The terrain was high enough to overlook the entire Chang' an City. Because Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty respected Xuanzang very much, he would shed tears every time he looked into Bailu Yuan from the Daming Palace. Therefore, in the second year of Zongzhang, Wu Zetian ordered that Xuanzang's remains be buried to Shaoling Plateau in the southern suburbs of Chang 'an, and the "Tang Dynasty Protecting the Country and Promoting Religion Temple" be built to commemorate it.

Xiangzong Ancestral Court that complements each other

Xingjiao Temple is the ancestral courtyard of Buddhism. There are three famous stupas in the temple (collectively referred to as the "Xingjiao Temple Pagoda"), which are the spiritual return places of Master Xuanzang and his disciples Master Juji and Master Yuan Ce.

Another Buddhist ancestral court, the "Dacien Temple", seems to be more famous, especially now, tourists will definitely visit it when they come to Xi'an. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Dacien Temple was personally designed and supervised by Xuanzang. The original intention of the temple was to commemorate his mother, Empress Zhangsun. After its completion, Dacien Temple became the largest and most magnificent temple in the Tang Empire. Xuanzang was the first host here and worshipped Buddha and translated scriptures here.

Dacien Temple has such a deep connection with Xuanzang. Why did he return to the temple after his death? That is because Dacien Temple was not only a royal temple in the Tang Dynasty, but also one of the three famous Buddhist translation sites. In ancient times, the division of labor was very close, with eleven items such as translation subject, verification of meaning, verification of text, written acceptance, language, reference translation, and publication determination. It required many personnel and was a relatively noisy place. Therefore, the status and role of Dacien Temple are not suitable as a burial place for eminent monks. In his later years, Xuanzang was unable to translate Buddhist scriptures without distractions, so he chose to live in the tranquil Yuhua Temple and eventually passed away here.