Page 44 - Ming_China_Courts_and_Contacts_1400_1450 Craig lunas

Plate 3.8 Records of the Western Regions [Visited During] the Great Tang Dynasty (Da Tang xiyu ji 大唐西域記) in the Jiaxing Tripiṭaka
(Jiaxing zang 嘉興藏), juan 11, c. 1579–1707. Ink on paper. The Palace Museum, Beijing

was sent to Nepal, perhaps to bring the South Asian monk 永樂北藏 (Yongle Northern Tripiṭaka) edition, which was
Śāriputra 實哩沙哩卜得囉/室利沙 (also known as Paṇḍita compiled between 1421 and 1440. Translated into English
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板的達, 1335–1426) to Ming China, the eunuch passed by Li Rongxi, it reads:
through Tibet and met Tsongkhapa, presumably to again The country of Siṁhala, known as the ‘Land of Lions’ in olden
urge him to visit the Ming court. Śāriputra had an times, and also called the ‘Country of No Sorrow’, is south of
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audience with the Yongle emperor in 1414 and was tasked to India. As it produces plenty of rare gems, it is also named the
build the replica of the Mahābodhi temple in Beijing, known ‘Precious Island’. Formerly, Śākyamuni Buddha transformed
today as the Wutasi 五塔寺. The temple in vajrāsana (金剛寶座) himself into a man named Siṁhala, and as he was a man
style was designed by Śāriputra but was completed only in possessing all virtues, he was made king by the people of the
1473. McKeown correctly notes that the arrival of Śāriputra country. Therefore it was also called the country of Siṁhala.
With his great supernatural powers, he destroyed the great iron
and the order to build the replica of the Indian temple in city, annihilated the rākṣasīs, and rescued the victims who were
Beijing were part of the Yongle emperor’s attempt to in peril. Then he constructed a capital city and built towns to
associate himself with not only his father’s legacy as the convert and guide the local people. After having propagated
founder of the dynasty, but also that of Qubilai as a the right teachings, he passed away, leaving a tooth behind in
cakravartin (universal) ruler. this country. It is adamantine and will last for many kalpas
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This interest in Buddhism expressed by the Yongle without being damaged. It issues a precious light like a brilliant
emperor, and in particular the episodes related to inviting star, like the moon shining in the night, or the sun brightening
Tsongkhapa to the Ming capital and the building of the the daytime. Whenever a prayer is said to it, it responds as
replica of the Mahābodhi temple, is also linked to Zheng He swiftly as an echo. In times of natural disaster, an earnest
prayer will bring instant divine auspiciousness. What is now
and his maritime expeditions. A note added to the Ming- called the Mountain of Ceylon was the country of Siṁhala in
dynasty edition of Xuanzang’s 玄奘 (602?–64) Da Tang xiyu ji ancient times. Beside the royal palace is a temple for the
大唐西域記 (Records of the Western Regions [Visited During] the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, decorated with various gems and
Great Tang Dynasty) suggests that the military actions shining with great brilliance. It has been worshipped from
undertaken by Zheng He in Sri Lanka in 1410–11 may have generation to generation without negligence. The reigning king
been related to obtaining the famous Tooth Relic of the A-lie-ku-nai-er is a native of Soḷī. He worships heretics, does not
Buddha housed in Kandy. Originally written in the middle venerate the Triple Gem, is a brutal and tyrannical ruler, has
of the 7th century, Xuanzang’s record of his travels was no feeling of pity for his people, and blasphemes the Buddha’s
Tooth Relic.
included in the Chinese Buddhist Tripiṭaka. The first
woodblock printed edition of the Chinese Tripiṭaka In the third year of the Yongle period [1405] of the great
appeared in the 11th century and was reprinted several Ming dynasty, the Emperor dispatched the eunuch Zheng He
times, with various textual additions. During the Ming as an imperial envoy to send incense and flowers to that country
period there were six printed editions of the work. In the and make offerings [to the Tooth Relic]. Zheng He exhorted
King A-lie-ku-nai-er to respect Buddhism and keep away from
Jiaxing zang 嘉興藏 (Jiaxing Tripiṭaka) composed in 1676, a heretics. The king was enraged and intended to kill the envoy.
note is added to Xuanzang’s chapter that deals with Sri Having got wind of the intrigue, Zheng He went away.
Lanka (Pl. 3.8). This note most likely originated from Ming Afterward he was sent again to bestow gifts on various foreign
beiben 明北本 (Ming Northern Edition) or the Yongle beizang

34 | Ming China: Courts and Contacts 1400–1450