China India heritage
Chinese scholars at Nalanda
Several Chinese monks and scholars studied and taught at the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda in north India. The most famous among them was Hsuan Tsang who spent 12 years at Nalanda and completed his epic work titled Treatise on the Harmony of Teaching there.
Hsuan Tsang visited Nalanda in the 7th century and his vivid writings were instrumental in revealing the existence of this famed university.
Another Chinese scholar named I-Tsing revealed that Nalanda only admitted students who were above 20 years of age which indicates that it was an institution for pursuing higher knowledge.
In 2011, the Chinese government granted $1 million to revive the ancient university which had provided immense benefits to the Chinese scholars who visited and studied there.
Words intersecting both languages
Mandarin Chinese is the national language of China.
The word ‘mandarin’ has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit language of India. The root word is “man” which means “to think” in Sanskrit.
The term ‘coolie’ was used for indentured laborers from Asia such as Chinese railroad workers in the US and Canada. The word has its origin in the Hindi term for baggage carrier.
The word ‘chai’ has its origin in the Mandarin Chinese word ‘cha’ which means tea. It is believed that a Chinese emperor named Shen-Nung discovered the energizing effect of chai tea by accident in the year 2737 B.C. In 59 B.C., a poet named Wang Pao recorded the benefits of chai tea in detail. Chai became a popular drink in China and it was also served to foreign tourists and travelers who visited the country. It is said that Gautama Buddha while traveling towards China chewed on chai leaves to revitalize himself and prevent drowsiness in his bid to meditate for long hours. In the sixteenth century, the beverage was introduced to Europe by traders who had traveled to regions in China and the Far East. Today the humble Chinese chai has become a favorite drink in many parts of the world.
Mansarovar Lake and Mount Kailash
Devout Hindu pilgrims do not mind traveling the arduous journey to Kailash-Mansarovar. These pilgrimage spots are located in Tibet. Hence it is necessary for Indian visitors to take the permission of Chinese authorities before embarking on the trip.
Mount Kailash is located in Tibet and is believed to be the abode of the Hindu God Shiva. This peak is more than 22,000 feet in height. Hindus walk around the 32-mile circumference of this mountain to wash away their sins. The holy rivers Sutlej, Karnali, Brahmaputra and Indus have their origin in Mount Kailash.
Lake Mansarovar is located 18 miles from Kailash. Devout Hindus bathe in the ice-cold water of this placid lake to gain spiritual benefits. Because of the demanding nature of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage, visitors have to pass a medical examination before being allowed to embark on the trip.
