Sŏk Āryavarman 釋阿離耶跋摩, possessed of supernal wisdom, was selfenlightened. His figure and features were unusual. When he first came to China from Silla in order to seek out a good teacher and study under him, there was no distance he would not go. He gazed down and rested in the dark valleys;[549] he climbed up and approached the heavens. He was determined not only to set a standard for his contemporaries but also to save the coming generations. He was eager to travel and observe and never ceased to go to remote places. At last he went to seek the Law in western India and climbed the distant Pamirs.[550] He searched for rare and wonderful scenes and witnessed all the sacred traces. His long-cherished desire was finally fulfilled. During this time, his funds [1022b] and food being exhausted, he stayed at the Nālanda monas¬tery.[551] Soon thereafter, he died.
At the same time, an eminent [monk],[552] Hyeŏp 惠業, was staying in the Bodhi monastery, while [the eminent monks] Hyŏn‘gak 玄恪 and Hyŏnjo 玄照 were at the Mahābodhi monastery 大覺寺.[553] These four completed their journey during the era chen-kuan, laid the foundations of a good cause, and swelled the monastic order. Taking leave of their native country, they went to observe Indian manners. They gained soaring reputations in both east and west and left behind an undying model. Had they not been superior personages endowed with great minds, how could they have expected to achieve this much? According to the chronology, they may have departed for India at the same time as the master Hsüan-tsang 玄弉 (602-664),[554] but we do not know the exact year.