“佛兴西方,法流东国”:《大唐西域记》的佛教传播史意义

The Significance of Da Tang Xi Yu Ji in the History of the Spread of Buddhism

《大唐西域记》是玄奘西行求法的实录,是对求法所见、所闻的亲忆、亲述,在佛教传播史上具有独特的意义和价值。它对众多佛本生、佛传、佛弟子故事、佛教的重大活动、佛教遗迹以及佛教内外论争等的记载详尽、完整,对佛教传播路线和传播规律的体现清晰、显明。同时,它口述性、文学性特征突出,是一部宗教性与文学性相结合、学术性与普及性兼具的佛教传播史著作。

Da Tang Xi Yu Ji(Records from the Regions West of the Great Tang)is a record of Xuanzang's westward journey to seek the truth of Buddhism.As memory and records of what he saw and heard,it has unique significance and value in the history of the spread of Buddhism.It records in detail many jataka stories,biographies of Buddha,stories of Buddha disciples,major Buddhist activities,Buddhist relics and internal and external disputes of Buddhism.It clearly reveals the route and law of the spread of Buddhism.With prominent oral and literary characteristics,Da Tang Xi Yu Ji is a history of the spread of Buddhism with religious and literary,academic and popular features.