- Zhi Qian
Zhi Qian (Ch:支謙) was a
Kushan Buddhist monk ofYuezhi ethnicity who translated around thirty-six Buddhist sutras into Chinese between222 and253 CE. His origin is described in his adopted Chinese name by the prefix "Zhi" (Ch:支), abbreviation of "Yuezhi" (Ch:月支).Zhi Qian's grandfather was called Fadu (Ch:法度) and was reportedly the leader of the of
Yuezhi people and Buddhist missionaries who went to China during the reign of the Emperor Han Lingdi. Fadu was appointed a Court Gentleman by the Han court.Zhi Qian studied with Zhi Liang, who was one of the disciples of
Lokaksema . He translated a large quantity ofMahāyāna andHīnayāna scriptures. The earliest record of aHeart Sutra text is a translation attributed to him.Pine 2004, pg. 18]Among his most important translations are:
*A life the Buddha (Ch: 太子瑞應經Taizi ruiying jing).
*The Vimalakīrtinirdeśa in two chapters (Ch:維摩詰經, Weimojie jing).
*The Astasāhasrika-prajnāpāramita in four chapters(Ch: 大明度無極經, Da mingdu wuji jing).Notes
References
*Red Pine. "The Heart Sutra: The Womb of the Buddhas" (2004) Shoemaker 7 Hoard. ISBN 1-59376-009-4
ee also
*
Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
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