By around the sixth century the ancient capital of Chang’an (modern day Xi’an), was rapidly transforming itself into a prominent Buddhist center. Numerous monasteries promoted a uniquely Chinese perspective, absorbing Daoism and other homegrown philosophies. Construction of the Da Ci’en Temple began in 589 A.D. but it didn’t flourish until the Tang dynasty (618-907) when crown prince Li Zhi had the temple renovated in memory of his mother, the Empress Changsun. Located in a south-eastern ward of Chang’an, the temple comprised of thirteen courtyards and over eighteen hundred rooms. It gained greater significance under monk Xuanzang, immortalized in the 16th century novel Journey to the West (or Monkey). Xuanzang who came from a line of Confucian scholars grew tired of the poorly translated Buddhist works and in 627 lobbied to make a pilgrimage to India. The emperor refused, so in 629 he donned a disguise and accompanied a group of merchants on the road west. The expedition took him to India, where he studied Buddhism. Seventeen years later, he returned to Chang’an, with a large collection of sutras. His experiences gave the authorities detailed information about the western lands beyond China. When the newly renovated Da Ci’en temple was completed in 649 Xuanzang became its first abbot. A five-storey pagoda was constructed to store the sutras. In 704 the pagoda was rebuilt under Empress Wu Zetian. Five extra storeys were added and it is said to have stood for over eight hundred years. An earthquake in 1556 skimmed off three stories leaving today’s seven storey structure which leans several degrees to the west. Its current name originates from the tale of a Buddhist sect who had run out of food. A monk happened to spot a flock of wild geese and prayed for some meat. One goose promptly fell at his feet in sacrifice. This was taken as sign to be more pious and the pagoda was constructed where the goose fell. The modern day temple is one sixth of its original size, though the primary buildings continue to lie along a central axis.