Lesson 4: Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges during the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Envoys

During the Tang Dynasty, there were frequent exchanges between China and Japan. In order to learn the advanced culture of China, Japan sent envoys to China, which were called "Tang envoys" at that time. Along with the envoys, there were many foreign students and monks. There were more than a dozen groups of Japanese envoys sent to China, and the largest number was more than 500 at one time. They passed on to Japan advanced systems, astronomical calendars, writing, classics, calligraphic art, and architectural techniques of the Tang Dynasty, which had a profound impact on the development of Japanese society.

Kanzen's Eastern Crossing

The most influential figure in the cultural exchange between the Tang Dynasty and Japan was Jianzhen. He was a senior monk of Daming Temple in Yangzhou, and accepted the invitation of Japanese monks to cross over to Japan, but the first five times were unsuccessful due to various reasons, and he lost his eyesight due to overwork. However, Jianzhen was still determined to continue his 6th journey to Japan, and finally arrived in Japan in 754. In Japan, he taught Buddhist scriptures and spread Chinese medicine, literature, calligraphy, architecture, painting, etc., making a remarkable contribution to cultural exchange between China and Japan.

Xuanzang's Journey to the West

The Tang Dynasty had frequent exchanges with the Tianzhu. In the early years of the Ch'ing-Guan period, the monk Xuan Zang traveled westward to obtain scriptures from the Tianzhu, and arrived there after a long journey of four years, braving hardships and difficulties. After more than 10 years, Xuanzang returned to Chang'an with a large number of Buddhist scriptures, and thereafter presided over the translation work, making significant contributions to the development of Buddhism in China. According to his dictation and recorded by his disciples, "The Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" is a valuable document for the study of the history of Sino-foreign exchanges, recording the mountains, rivers, scenery and social customs of more than 100 countries and regions he experienced and traveled.（351words）