Ceylon (Xilan, Hsi-lan, present-day Sri Lanka)

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The name 'Ceylon' is a transliteration of 'Silan' by which name the island was known. At the time of the Ming voyages, "the small principalities of the land formed political entities of no consequence, but the island was of economic importance, famed for elephants, gem-stones, and pearls, and it enjoyed renown as the centre of Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism".

- J. V. G. Mills, Ma Huan, p. 124, n. 4