What Indian leaders can learn from one of history’s most famous travellers- Hsuan Tsang

One of the greatest travelers of both the Chinese and the Indian history Hsuan Tsang embarked on a journey of knowledge and wisdom through the Silk Route by foot. It is said that his writings about the Indian empire of King Harshavardhana is the most detailed and accurate history of the king.

Indian leaders have much to learn from the humility and zeal of this great Saint.

1. An example to look up to strengthen the threads of Indo-China relations- The great Chinese traveler was intrigued by Indian history while reading Indian manuscripts at a Buddhist monastery. With an insatiable thirst to acquire more of such manuscripts, he set out on his famous travel to India. His accounts give the most detailed account of Indian kingdoms, especially the empire of King Harshavardhana. While Chinese troops are slowly invading Indian territories and India is still suffering from the consequences of the split in Indian communism influenced by Chinese principals, Hsuan Tsang’s life shows that India and China are meant to be friends.

2. Perseverance- Hsuan Tsang accomplished the task of crossing the Taklamaken desert alone by foot. Though at the China’s edge of the desert he was detained by Chinese army and told to return back to the monastery, he was persistent, so much so that he willingly asked them to kill him or let him go forward. There was no going back for him. Indian leaders either don’t try or give up too easily. Whether it is to bring back Black Money or stop corruption, India’s leaders have only played the blame game which resulted to no action in the end.



3. Importance to details- Hsuan Tsang’s accounts of the countries along the Silk Route through which he traveled are the most detailed and exhaustive accounts of history till date. India’s leaders only envision big dreams, either the poor or the shortcomings are often neglected which result to the failure of the schemes.

4. Wisdom- Knowledge and wisdom drove the success of Hsuan Tsang’s arduous journey. During his journey, he arrived at Turfan a few days after crossing the desert. The king of Turfan was so impressed with his knowledge of Buddhist books, he was not willing to let him go and agreed reluctantly only when determined Hsuan Tsang threatened of a hunger strike. During the times of bureaucracy, death of freedom of almost everything, culture of ban and more, it is high time Indian leaders read the actual religious books before misusing the principals to suppress minorities in the country.

5. Courage- Crossing through the vast barren Taklamaken desert and completing a journey by foot to quench his thirst to know the Indian history is no easy task. Hsuan Tsang’s courage is what the leaders lack. Even though there are some who do realise the misdoings of the government, not all speak up to it.

(Image credits: silk-road, oneindia)