Srivijaya's Chinese Buddhist Pilgrim Yijing: A Monk's Journey

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the life and travels of Yijing, the 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk who studied in Srivijaya and Nalanda. They discuss his journey from Tang China to Palembang, where he spent years translating Buddhist texts, and his perilous voyage to India. The conversation covers Yijing's detailed records of monastic life, his role in the Maritime Silk Road, and the intellectual network connecting China, Southeast Asia, and India. Lucas explains how Yijing's writings survive as a key primary source for life in Srivijaya and the Palas, including details on Buddhist practice, ship construction, and the multi-ethnic trading world of the Malay archipelago. Luna asks about Yijing's motivations, his companions, and the lasting impact of his translations on East Asian Buddhism, including the transmission of the Vinaya. This episode sheds light on a little-known figure who linked three great civilizations through faith and scholarship. #Yijing #Srivijaya #Palembang #Nalanda #TangDynasty #MaritimeSilkRoad #Buddhism #Vinaya #ChineseMonk #PalaEmpire #MaritimeHistory #SoutheastAsia #Monsoon #BuddhistPilgrim #HistoricalSources #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo