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Article: On The Buddhist Road.(Arts)(On the Nalanda Trial: Buddhism in India, China and Southeast Asia)
- Article from:
- Newsweek International
- Article date:
- November 26, 2007
- Author:
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Byline: Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop
Tracing the spread of the faith's art and practices.
The Arts
During the fifth century A.D., caravans traveling along the southern Silk Road from China to India transported silk, spices and edibles. But the treacherous route through the mountains wasn't important just for trading goods, it was also the path by which Buddhism spread across the region. Chinese monks headed to India to study Buddhist scripture, then brought the teachings, icons and ritual practices back to China and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Fortunately, the Buddhist pilgrims from that period kept excellent travel records. Their accounts ...