Faxian (334 -- 420) wasan eminent monk of the Eastern Jin Dynasty（317-419A.D.）. He was born in Wuyang, Pingyang County. (now Xiangyuan, Shanxiprovince.)

He was a famous monk in the history of Buddhism in China, an innovator in Buddhism, thefirst master to study Buddhism abroad, a distinguished traveler and Buddhism translator.

In 399, at the age of 65, Faxian set out from Chang 'an (Xi’an now) and traveled to Tianzhu (ancient India)  through the Western regions to seek commandments. He went west from Chang 'an (today's Xi'an) to the  Kingdom Shizi (today's Sri Lanka), via Java Island in Indonesia , and arrived at Song Mountain (today's Laoshan, Shandong) by sea in 412 A.D.. In 14 years, he visited more than 30 countries and brought back many Sanskrit Sutras.The book , Record of The Buddhistic Kingdoms written by him, provided important information for the study of the ancient history of the sub-continent countries.

The introduction of Buddhist culture into China by Faxian and Xuanzang exerted a great influence on Chinese history and culture.

In order to commemorate Faxian, one part of south sea is named Faxian Ansha (BuckReef).