From Bengal to the Himalayas: Unveiling the Idiom of Tibetan Buddhist Art from Ancient to Early-Medieval Times

China and Bangladesh have been connected since ancient times. Several Chinese pilgrims visited Buddhist monasteries in Bangladesh in ancient times. A Chinese pilgrim named Yijing (I‐tsing) who traveled the Indian subcontinent during 671–95 CE left some account on the presence of a ‘Temple of China’ in Varendra i.e. north of Bangladesh. It was located near Mrigasthapana monastery which was built for some Chinese pilgrims. Faxian (Fa‐hien) another Chinese traveler visited Bangladesh at the beginning of the fifth century CE and reported that Buddhism is a flourishing religion here. The account of a famous Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang), who visited Samatata (greater Cumilla and Noakhali district) in 638 CE, informs us about his visit to the Buddhist sites of Bangladesh. He saw more than 30 Buddhist monasteries and 2000 monks in the country. In a monastery, he saw an 8-foot dark‐blue jade image of Buddha. It should be mentioned here that he also paid a visit to Pundravardhana which is identified with Mahasthangarh, Bagura district of Bangladesh. During the reign of Khadga King Rajabhata (700–715 CE), Sheng Chi paid a visit to Samatata or more precisely Mainamati, Cumilla. Yijing visited Mainamati after many years of Xuan Zang. The modern Chittagong division of Bangladesh in early medieval times was known as Harikela was visited by Wu‐hing and he stayed there for one year before he left for Mahabodhi monastery. Another Chinese monk Tan‐Kwong also visited Harikela and found much favor with the king of the country.