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During His mission, due to unfavorable weather conditions, Xuanzang was forced to remain in Kucha for two months before resuming His journey across the snow-covered Tian Shan ranges. Today, archaeologists continue to speculate about the exact route Xuanzang took through these towering mountains, many of which exceed 5,000 meters in height, making it an arduous and treacherous trek. The Venerated Enlightened Master forged further west and then turned northwest to cross the Bedel Pass into present-day Kyrgyzstan. According to Xuanzang, Nava Vihāra was the westernmost monastic institution worldwide. It was here that Xuanzang discovered more than 3,000 Theravada monks, including the wise and venerable Prajnakara. Xuanzang would study Theravada scriptures with Prajnakara. He also obtained the crucial Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣā Śāstra text, an ancient Buddhist text on scholastic Buddhist philosophy, that was believed to have been written around 150 AD at this site. Xuanzang would later translate the Mahāvibhāṣā text into Chinese. The concept of the Buddha’s “Emanation” or “Shadow” is highlighted in medieval Chinese Buddhist texts. Near Nagarahāra (modern Jalalabad), a cave was believed to contain the Buddha’s shadow on its wall, which was said to appear to devoted pilgrims on special occasions. This site is first mentioned in Kumārajīva’s translation of the “Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom,” describing the “cave of the Buddha’s Shadow.” According to legend, after praying 200 times, Xuanzang briefly saw the image of Lord Buddha, which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Undeterred, He prayed another 200 times, and the image reappeared, this time more vividly. Overcome with emotion, Xuanzang was deeply moved by the sight of the Buddha’s Holy image. According to His travelogue, Xuanzang considered Himself to have entered India in the year 630, when He arrived in Jalalabad city and Laghman province, in Afghanistan. From here, He began to experience the cultural and geographical features of the Indian subcontinent. He cited Buddha’s land as expansive with 70 kingdoms, surrounded by sea on three sides and snow mountains in the north. The rich and moist land produced large amounts of vegetation. He noted that India was comprised of many villages and cities with narrow and winding streets. Those with professions involving the killing of living beings, such as butchers, fishermen, executioners, or scavengers handling products derived from slaughtered beings, were forbidden from living in the city.
