Buddhas with Chinese Inscriptions from Bodhgaya
In 1862 CE (B.E. 2405), Alexander Cunningham surveyed Bodhgaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment. At that time, the sacred precinct (Bodhimanda) was in a state of neglect and ruin. Only a few Hindu Mahantas occasionally conducted rituals there. Cunningham excavated the area near the ancient ruins by the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, which was then the third-generation tree and in such old age that it was about to fall. He discovered many Buddha images, but one was particularly extraordinary.
This Buddha image, carved from black stone typical of the Pala dynasty’s devotional sculptures, stood out. The inscription below was not in Sanskrit, Prakrit, or any Indian script—but in Chinese. The text reads:
“I, Bhikshu Zhi Yi (or Che Yi), from the Great Han Empire, made a vow on behalf of 300,000 people to follow the teachings that guarantee rebirth in a higher realm, by making merit through offering 300,000 copies of the Sutra of King Shang Sheng (a scripture concerning higher rebirths), and by reciting this sutra 300,000 times. This merit will result in rebirth in the Tusita Heaven.”
“Upon arriving in the land of Magadha, I was deeply moved by the Diamond Throne (Vajrasana), and I respectfully met the master of the Yogācāra school named Gui Bao, along with a number of revered monks. Together, we made a vow to be reborn in Tusita Heaven.”
“Among the 300,000 people were: Gui Bao (1st), Che Yi (2nd), Guang Feng (3rd), as well as Hui Yan, Zhong Da, Shi An Sun, Yuan Chen, Yi Xian, Hui Xiu, Che Yong, Feng Sheng, Xing Yun, etc. All of them aspired to venerate Metteyya (Maitreya), the compassionate and revered one. Now, the seven Buddhas have been inscribed on this stele.”
From this inscription, it is evident that the creator was Chinese, while the sculptor was likely Indian. The Chinese inscription may have been carved by a Chinese monk or artisan traveling with the group. The quality of the carving suggests skilled craftsmanship—had it been done by someone unfamiliar with Chinese script, the characters may have been poorly rendered or damaged.
The Eight Buddhas Carved on the Stele:
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Vipassi Buddha (佛陀毗婆尸语)
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Sikhī Buddha (尸棄佛)
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Vessabhū Buddha (佛陀毗舍婆语)
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Kakusandha Buddha (佛陀语言)
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Koṇāgamana Buddha (佛陀拘那含语)
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Kassapa Buddha (迦叶佛语言)
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Gotama Buddha (Śākyamuni) (释迦牟尼佛语言)
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Metteyya Buddha (Maitreya) (弥勒佛语)
Current Location:
This artifact is currently housed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata, India.
Historical Context and Significance:
The inscription is attributed to Master Zhi Yi (Che Yi), who traveled to the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and visited the sacred sites in India around 1057 CE (B.E. 1600). This inscription serves as significant evidence that Bodhgaya has long been a central pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, particularly Chinese Buddhists.
According to the book Chinese Monks in India by Venerable I-Ching (Yi Jing), who journeyed to India in 671 CE (B.E. 1214), there were approximately 56 Chinese monks residing in India at that time for Buddhist studies. The names of many of these monks are listed in that very book.
This Chinese inscription is not the only one discovered at Bodhgaya, and further inscriptions will be gradually introduced for those interested in further study.
Broader Implication:
This artifact stands as historical evidence of the deep cultural and religious ties between two Asian powers— China and India. Buddhism served as the sacred bridge, fostering strong diplomatic and spiritual connections between these two great civilizations.
