从法显的“五天竺”到玄奘的“五印度”

From “Five Regions of Tianzhu (Shindhu)” Named by Faxian to “Five Divisions of Yindu (India)” Designated by Xuanzang

印度古人将南亚次大陆划分为东南西北中五个部分。中国古人对此表示认同,并按汉语汉字的表达习惯提出"五天竺"的概念。法显游学印度首次考察了"五天竺"的部分地区并写出记录。玄奘周游印度后将"五天竺"改为"五印度",并详细记录了五印度的划分情况。

Ancient Indians divided the South Asian Subcontinent into five parts, namely North, East, West, Central and South India. Ancient Chinese accepted that notion and, following the Chinese linguistic habit of expression, put forth the concept of “Five Regions of Tianzhu(Shindhu)”. Faxian was the first Chinese that had made investigations of some areas of the “Five Regions of Tianzhu” and left some substantial records. Xuanzang, after his extensive travelling in India, changed the “Five Regions of Tianzhu” into “Five Divisions of Yindu(India)”, and left detailed records with regard to the dividing circumstances of the “Five Divisions of Yindu”.