Xuan zang was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller and translator who spent time in India from 629 to 645 AD to gain accurate knowledge of Buddhist texts and is credited with bringing about 657 texts to China. He was able to translate only a few of the chapters of these texts, especially some chapters of the major Mahayana religious texts.
Xuanzang was always curious to know about Buddhist scriptures since childhood and he kept studying Buddhist scriptures. His entire family was a follower of Mahatma Buddha. At the age of 13, he received the honour of being a novice monk. He travelled inside China to gain knowledge about Buddhism.
During the time of Emperor Taizong he expressed his desire to visit India as he was very impressed by the teachings of Faxian or Fa-hein. He spent most of his time in India at Nalanda University and studied with Silabhadra. On his return to China he brought with him many Sanskrit texts which he had translated. The emperor welcomed him. His contribution to the Buddhist world cannot be forgotten and his travelogue is an authority in itself.
Xuan Zang belongs to a galaxy of world Citizens whose great mission was to Interpret, for the good of mankind, sublime values of human civilisation. This memorial dedicated to Xuan zang was built by the Chinese Government and located in Nalanda, Bihar. He was born in 602 AD and died in 664 AD. He is also known as Hieun-Tsang. These words are mentioned at the statue’s pedestal.