Question

According to I-tsing, which of the following islands of the Southern sea was a center of Buddhist learning?

• A. Funan
• B. Borneo
• C. Sri-Vijaya
• D. Bali

Hint:

Important Chinese travellers:
• Fa-Hien → Gupta period
• Hiuen Tsang → Harsha period
• I-tsing → Buddhist learning and monasteries Sri-Vijaya was a famous Buddhist maritime kingdom in Southeast Asia.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim I-tsing (Yijing) travelled extensively through India and Southeast Asia during the seventh century CE. His travel records are considered extremely important historical sources because they provide detailed information regarding:
• Buddhist education,
• monasteries,
• trade routes,
• and cultural exchanges between India and Southeast Asia. In his writings, I-tsing described Sri-Vijaya as an important center of Buddhist learning.

Step 1: Understanding who I-tsing was. I-tsing was a Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar who travelled to:
• India,
• Sumatra,
• and other Southeast Asian regions to study Buddhism and collect sacred texts. His writings are valuable because they describe:
• educational systems,
• monastic life,
• and Buddhist institutions of the time.

Step 2: Understanding the importance of Sri-Vijaya. Sri-Vijaya was a powerful maritime Buddhist kingdom located mainly in Sumatra. According to I-tsing:
• Sri-Vijaya had renowned Buddhist monasteries,
• scholars from different regions studied there,
• and monks often stayed there before travelling to India. It became an important international center of Buddhist learning.

Step 3: Analyzing all the options carefully.
• Option (A) Funan: Funan was an early Southeast Asian kingdom influenced by Indian culture, but I-tsing specifically praised Sri-Vijaya for Buddhist learning.
• Option (B) Borneo: Borneo was important in maritime trade, but it was not identified by I-tsing as the major Buddhist educational center.
• Option (C) Sri-Vijaya: I-tsing clearly described Sri-Vijaya as a great center of Buddhist learning. Therefore, this option is correct.
• Option (D) Bali: Bali later became important for Hindu culture, but it was not the Buddhist center referred to by I-tsing.

Step 4: Historical importance of Sri-Vijaya. Sri-Vijaya became significant because:
• it controlled important sea trade routes,
• it spread Buddhist culture,
• and it acted as a link between India and Southeast Asia. It was one of the greatest Buddhist kingdoms of maritime Asia.

Step 5: Final conclusion. According to I-tsing, the island kingdom that served as a center of Buddhist learning was: \[ \boxed{\text{Sri-Vijaya}} \]