I met the great Khan of Western Gokturks. As his relationship with the Tang Emporer is still friendly, he had offered a feast to me. After the feast, I travelled westwards then southwest to Tashkent. I had been pondering about something at that time. When? When will I reach India? It's going to taking years. Will I really make it safely? I marched on. After crossing the dessert to Samarkand, I came across some abondoned Bhuddist temples. I impressed the local king with my preaching and continued south. I crossed a spur of the Pamirs and passed through the famous Iron gates. I am now in Amu Darya and Termez, where I have entered a community of more than a thousand monks. I feel so safe here. But the question that I had been pondering over still remains. When will I reach India?

"I would rather die going to the west than live by staying in the east."
10:41 PM

I still remember my dream that convinced me to travel to India. But no, I have not made it to India, not yet. After persuading the Bhuddist guards at the gates of Yumen, I have managed to sneak past. I travelled through the Gobi desert after many months. And I met the king of Turfan as well! He is a Bhuddist who equipped me with letters and valuables that served as funds. I was truly grateful. I knew this journey was indeed dangerous. But I remeber my promise to travel westward. Yes, I am still travelling westwards. Now, I'm touring the Therevada monastaries of Kucha. I am glad that I managed to escape China. There's no turning back.

"I would rather die going to the west than live by staying in the east."
10:14 PM