A seminar was held in Mount Wutai on June 22 to commemorate Master Faxian, a much-celebrated monk who traveled by foot from China to India, visiting Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka along the way, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420).

This three-day event, organized by The Buddhist Association of China, attracted 14 respected Buddhist figures from China and Sri Lanka.

The seminar was aimed to boost bilateral Buddhist exchanges between the two countries, pay tribute to Master Faxian and promote the strategic construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Faxian was a famous monk who advocated reform of Buddhism during China's Eastern Jin Dynasty. As the first Chinese monk to have traveled abroad, Faxian visited more than 20 countries to collect a number of Sanskrit classic works.

In the process, he introduced Buddhism to China, which has played a crucial role in Chinese history and culture. In many ways Faxian was a true pioneer of the Belt and Road Initiative.

A seminar was held at Mount Wutai on June 22 to commemorate Master Faxian, a much-celebrated monk who traveled by foot from China to India, visiting Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka along the way during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420). [Photo/ shanxi.china.com]