Abstuct: Xuanzang demonstrated a high degree of interest in Buddhist art. First, this is shown in his equal appraisal of Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist images. Although he was later known for his journey to India to “seek scriptures,” Xuanzang himself, as well as his contemporaries, considered the purpose of his journey to be for the sake of obtaining both scriptures and images. Second, Xuanzang refers to Buddhism as the “religion of images,” allowing Buddhist art to serve as a basic form and method of representation. Third, in Xuanzang’s extant memorials to the emperor, he used many concepts and terms from the Yi jing (Book of changes) relating to the Yi jing’s concept of image-based thinking. Fourth, Xuanzang’s interest in art was for the purpose of combining doctrine and practice to spread Buddhism and benefit society. Fifth, historically, many other great Buddhist masters also have also shown interest in both scriptures and images, or participated in artistic activities. The last section of this article points out that Xuanzang and other masters honor the traditional Chinese standpoint that art transmits Tao.
