Tang Seng(唐僧)：
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: táng sēng，Written as:

Tang Seng,also known as Xuanzang (602-664 AD), was a renowned Buddhist monk, translator, and traveler from the Tang dynasty in China, famous for his significant contributions to the translation of Buddhist scriptures and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
Born in Luoyang, Henan, with the family name Chen and given name Yi, Tang Seng was a precocious child who entered the monastery to practice Buddhism with his elder brother at the age of ten. His deep interest in Buddhist scriptures led him to extensively study Buddhist texts, revealing his extraordinary talent early on.
Due to the imperfections in the Chinese translations of Buddhist texts at the time, Xuanzang decided to travel to India, known then as Tianzhu, to retrieve and learn Buddhist teachings firsthand. In 629 AD, he embarked on his journey westward, enduring hardships as he crossed the Taklamakan Desert and the Pamir Plateau, eventually reaching India. There, he studied at places like Nalanda Temple under renowned scholars, delving deeply into the various schools of Buddhist thought.
In 645 AD, Xuanzang returned to Chang’an (present-day Xi’an), bringing back a large collection of Buddhist scriptures. Recognized by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, he began a translation endeavor that lasted over a decade. At the Great Ci’en Temple in Chang’an, among other locations, Xuanzang translated numerous Buddhist texts, including the Heart Sutra and the Greater Prajnaparamita Sutra. His translations not only influenced the development of Buddhism in China but also had a profound impact on its spread across East Asia.
Xuanzang’s “Great Tang Records on the Western Regions” meticulously documented his observations during his journey and the customs of the countries he visited, serving as an important source for the study of ancient Central and South Asian history. Moreover, his dedication to acquiring knowledge, academic achievements, and contributions to cultural exchange have made him a distinguished figure in the history of international cultural exchange.
In the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West,” Xuanzang is fictionalized as Tang Seng, portrayed as a devout and steadfast seeker of Buddhist scriptures. Alongside characters such as Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, he faces eighty-one tribulations before finally obtaining the true scriptures. Although the novel’s depiction is artistically embellished, it reflects his significant status within Chinese culture.