歷代三寶紀 2

English (machine translation) 2

Language: English

2.1

Submitted by the translation scholar and minister Fei Zhangfang in the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era.

As for the succession of imperial reigns: Liu Bang, styled Ji, was a man of Feng in Pei Commandery. His mother, the Old Woman, rested by the Great Marsh and dreamed that she had intercourse with a spirit. Becoming pregnant from this, she gave birth to Ji. His head bore a dragon's countenance, his forehead had a high nose bridge, he was magnanimous and benevolent with a handsome beard and whiskers, and between his left thigh and groin he had seventy-two black moles. Thereupon, relying on the tyrannical Qin, he stirred his hidden wings; having swallowed strong Chu, he then unleashed his cloudy vapor. In all, he passed through seventy-two battles before the realm was settled. The response of the black moles found its auspicious omen here. Since he distantly carried on the Zhou, he accordingly called [his dynasty] Han. He renamed Xianyang as Chang'an and made it his capital. From the opening of creation, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Xia, Yin, Zhou, and Qin down to before Wen and Jing, all marked their years by imperial reigns without establishing separate era titles. Coming to the reign of Emperor Wu, era titles were first instituted, such as Jianyuan and Yuanshou. In the second year [of Yuanshou], Huo Qubing campaigned against the Xiongnu, crossed Mount Juyan, captured King Xiutu, and obtained his golden statues, taking them to be great spirits. They were arranged in the palace, and incense was burned in reverence to them. This was the first arrival of statues. In the third year, the Kunming Pool was excavated; everywhere below it was completely filled with grey soot. The Emperor questioned Dongfang Shuo about this matter. Shuo respectfully answered, saying: 'It is not known to your minister; Your Majesty may inquire of the barbarians of the Western Regions.' Thereafter, Zhang Qian returned from his mission to Da Xia, and the Han first came to know of the country of Shendu. Furthermore, in the reign of Emperor Ping, Grand Master Liu Xiang stated of himself: 'As I perused the classics and records, I repeatedly saw Buddhist scriptures.' And when abridging the Liexian zhuan (Biographies of Immortals), he said: 'Having obtained hidden books, I distantly searched the Grand Scribe's initial compilation of the Liexian tu (Illustrations of the Immortals); from the Six Eras down to the present, there were over seven hundred persons. When Xiang verified the real from the false, he definitively settled on one hundred and forty-six persons. Seventy-four of them had already appeared in Buddhist scriptures.' Inferring from this, are these not examples of the scriptures found in the Han-era scripture catalogues and the old and ancient catalogues recorded by Dao'an, such as the scripture of the Twelve Worthies? The remaining seventy-two persons alone formed the Liexian zhuan. This was indeed a man of broad learning discerning their great outlines. From this it may be known that the Śākya scriptures had long circulated in the Zhou era; since people's understanding was not yet ripe, those who converted and believed were few. Although the Qin burnt and eliminated them, under the Han they revived and re-emerged. Thus it caused Liu Xiang to search hidden books and see them, as recounted anew in the Liexian zhuan. Moreover, in the reign of Emperor Ai, during the Yuanshou era, Jing Xian went on a mission to the Da Yuezhi country and received the Futu jing (Buddhist Scripture). Verifying what Xiang had sought, it is truly recorded. Wang Mang, styled Jujun, was a man of Yuancheng. He served as Han's Grand Marshal, assisting Emperor Ping. In the fifth year of Yuanshi, a yi-chou year, the Emperor died. Mang enthroned Emperor Xuan's great-great-grandson Ying, styled Ruzi (the Infant), while Mang served as Chancellor. He held the regency for three years and reigned as true emperor for fifteen years, totaling eighteen years, though in fact it was only seventeen years. Mang was destroyed by Emperor Jing's seventh-generation descendant Liu Xuan, styled Shenggong, who proclaimed the first year of Gengshi. Xuan was enthroned for two years and was in turn killed by the Red Eyebrows. Liu Xiu, styled Wenshu, was a ninth-generation descendant of Gaozu, an offspring of King Ding of Changsha. He resided in Baishui Township of Nanyang. His father was Magistrate of Jiyang, and gave birth to Xiu in the county. There was an auspicious omen of red light; that year, fine grain bore nine ears on a single stalk, so he was named Xiu. He had a high nose bridge and solar forehead-horns, a large mouth, long eyebrows, a handsome face, beard, and whiskers. By nature kind and benevolent, he arose in Nanyang, eradicated the Red Eyebrows, and settled the realm. This was Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han. He moved the capital to Luoyang and named his era title Jianwu. I have heard the old worldly saying: 'Guangwu arose in Nanyang, and Nanyang had no base scholars.' I used to think this was baseless, but seeing what the scriptures now state—that Śākya appeared in Tianzhu, and Tianzhu has many sages—it only now verifies this as true. Coming to the seventh year of the Yongping era of Emperor Ming, he suddenly felt a spiritual dream; upon waking he was delighted and ordered envoys to travel west. Thereupon setting his mind to roam toward the realm of blessings, he once leisurely asked his younger brother, Prince of Dongping, Liu Chu: 'Dwelling at home, what is the greatest joy?' The Prince of Dongping was tall and grand, his belt spanning ten arm-spans; he immediately replied: 'Doing good is the greatest joy.' The Emperor praised him, saying: 'These words are very grand, fully sufficient to match the Prince's waist and belly.' Later, when the envoys returned, an imperial decree ordered the translation and propagation [of the scriptures]. The source sprang from this and has flowed down to the present; the ocean of Dharma is inexhaustible, and the dark river never runs dry. Combining both Former and Later Han together with the Xin king, there were twenty-six rulers and four hundred and twenty-five years; this records the imperial reigns of the Eastern and Western Capitals.

2.3

Former Han: Emperor Gao (reigned twelve years; capital at Chang'an). Emperor Hui (seven years). Empress Lü as regent (eight years). Emperor Wen (twenty-three years). Emperor Jing (sixteen years). Emperor Wu (fifty-four years). Emperor Zhao (thirteen years). Emperor Xuan (twenty-five years). Emperor Yuan (sixteen years). Emperor Cheng (twenty-six years). Emperor Ai (six years). Emperor Ping (five years). The Xin King, Mang (reigned seventeen years; ruled at Chang'an). Emperor Gengshi (two years; also at Chang'an).

2.4

Later Han: Emperor Guangwu (twenty-three years; capital at Luoyang). Emperor Ming (eighteen years; translated scriptures for ten years). Emperor Zhang (thirteen years). Emperor He (seventeen years). Emperor Shang (one year). Emperor An (nineteen years). Emperor Shun (nineteen years). Emperor Chong (one year). Emperor Zhi (one year). Emperor Huan (twenty-one years). Emperor Ling (twenty-two years). Emperor Xian (thirty years).

2.5

(Former Han: Yi-wei) First year of Emperor Gao (surname Liu, given name Bang, styled Aji; descendant of Yao; reigned twelve years with capital at Chang'an; 405 years since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Bing-shen) Year 2. (Ding-you) Year 3. (Wu-xu) Year 4. (Ji-hai) Year 5. (Geng-zi) Year 6. (Xin-chou) Year 7 (renamed Xianyang as Chang'an). (Ren-yin) Year 8. (Gui-mao) Year 9. (Jia-chen) Year 10. (Yi-si) Year 11. (Bing-wu) Year 12.

2.6

(Ding-wei) First year of Emperor Hui, Ying (son of Emperor Gao; reigned seven years; 415 years since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Wu-shen) Year 2. (Ji-you) Year 3 (in spring, drafted 146,000 men and women from within six hundred li of Chang'an to build the west side of Chang'an's old city walls; finished in thirty days; in the sixth month, also drafted the feudal lords leading 120,000 men to build the south side). (Geng-xu) Year 4. (Xin-hai) Year 5 (in the first month, again drafted 145,000 men and women from within six hundred li to build the north side of the wall; finished in thirty days; in summer, again drafted 125,000 men to build the east side of the wall; finished in thirty days; in autumn, the ninth month, all four sides of Chang'an's wall were entirely completed). (Ren-zi) Year 6. (Gui-chou) Year 7.

2.7

(Jia-yin) First year of Empress Lü (consort of Emperor Gao; ruled as regent for eight years; 422 years since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Yi-mao) Year 2. (丙辰) Year 3. (Ding-si) Year 4. (Wu-wu) Year 5. (Ji-wei) Year 6. (Geng-shen) Year 7. (Xin-you) Year 8.

2.8

(Ren-xu) First year of Emperor Wen, Heng (concubine-born son of Emperor Gao; reigned twenty-three years; 432 years since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Gui-hai) Year 2. (Jia-zi) Year 3. (乙丑) Year 4. (Bing-yin) Year 5. (Ding-mao) Year 6. (戊辰) Year 7. (Ji-si) Year 8. (Geng-wu) Year 9. (辛未) Year 10. (Ren-shen) Year 11. (Gui-you) Year 12. (Jia-xu) Year 13. (Yi-hai) Year 14. (Bing-zi) Year 15. (Ding-chou) Year 16. (Wu-yin) First year of the Later Era. (Ji-mao) Year 2. (Geng-chen) Year 3. (Xin-si) Year 4 (The Wenshushili ban nihuan jing states: 'Four hundred and fifty years after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, Mañjuśrī shall go to the Snow Mountains to expound the twelve divisions of scriptures to five hundred immortals, and having finished, will return to his native birthplace and enter nirvāṇa'; in the fifth month a great amnesty was granted, and government-owned male and female slaves were freed as commoners). (Ren-wu) Year 5. (Gui-wei) Year 6. (Jia-shen) Year 7.

2.9

(Yiyou) Emperor Jing, [named] Qi, first year (Son of Emperor Wen; reigned for 16 years. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 454 years). (Bingxu) 2. (Dinghai) 3. (Wuzi) 4. (Jichou) 5. (Gengyin) 6. (Xinmao) 7. (Renchen) Zhongyuan, 1st year. (Guisi) 2. (Jiawu) 3. (Yiwei) 4. (Bingshen) 5. (Dingyou) 6. (Wuxu) Houyuan, 1st year. (Jihai) 2. (Gengzi) 3.

2.10

(Xinchou) Emperor Wu, [named] Che (Son of Emperor Jing; reigned for 54 years. From this point began the establishment of era names, designated Jianyuan, 1st year. Dongfang Shuo submitted a memorial recommending himself, being 22 years of age at the time. Commoners aged 90 and above had their sons and grandsons exempted [from labor] to attend and support them. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 470 years). (Renyin) 2 (Established Maoling township and relocated the prominent and powerful from commanderies and kingdoms to reside there. The relocated households were granted 200,000 cash and two qing of fields). (Guimao) 3. (Jiachen) 4. (Yisi) 5. (Bingwu) 6.

2.11

(Dingwei) Yuanguang, 1st year. (Wushen) 2. (Jiyou) 3. (Gengxu) 4. (Xinhai) 5. (Renzi) 6 (The Waiguo zhuan states: 480 years after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, there was an arhat possessing supernormal powers named Harinanda, a son of a king. To the northeast of the country of Udyāna, he fashioned an image of Maitreya out of goshīrṣa sandalwood, 80 feet in height. Taking three skilled craftsmen, he ascended to Tuṣita to observe the true Maitreya before crafting it; only then was it completed, possessing extraordinary efficacy). (Guichou) Yuanshuo, 1st year. (Jiayin) 2. (Yimao) 3. (Bingchen) 4. (Dingsi) 5. (Wuwu) 6.

2.12

(Jiwei) Yuanshou, 1st year (In the tenth month, the emperor visited Yong to hunt and captured a white beast resembling a roe deer with five hooves, whence the era name was changed). (Gengshen) 2 (Huo Qubing campaigned north against the Xiongnu. Passing Mount Juyan, he captured King Xiutu and seized his golden statue, taking it to be a great deity; it was placed in Ganquan Palace, where incense was burnt and worship offered to it. This was the first arrival of a Buddhist image in the land of Han). (Xinyou) 3 (Kunming Lake was excavated, and beneath it was found entirely charcoal and black ash. Emperor Wu questioned Dongfang Shuo about it, ordering him to explain the cause. Shuo replied: 'It is not known to your subject. Your Majesty may question the Brahmans of the Western Regions'). (Renxu) 4. (Guihai) 5. (Jiazi) 6. (Yichou) Yuanding, 1st year (In the sixth month, a precious cauldron was retrieved from the water at Fenyin. The cauldron was 8 feet 1 inch wide and 3 feet 6 inches high; hence the era name was changed. Formerly, Qin sent people into the water to seek the cauldron but could not find it; under the Han, it emerged of itself. It may be said that when a numinous object finds resonance, it becomes manifest; when there is no response, it remains hidden. How could human effort seek it out?). (Bingyin) 2. (Dingmao) 3. (Wuchen) 4. (Jisi) 5. (Gengwu) 6.

2.13

(Xinwei) Yuanfeng, 1st year (In the first month, on jiazi, the emperor offered sacrifices at Mount Song. He erected a Daoist palace, fasted for seven days, and returned after the rituals were completed. In the fourth month, the emperor was at leisure, attended by [Dong]fang Shuo and others. Suddenly, a woman in azure garments appeared and told the emperor: 'Fast purely for one hundred days from now until the seventh day of the seventh month, and the Queen Mother of the West promises to descend.' When the appointed time came, during the second night watch, she indeed arrived before the emperor). (Renshen) 2. (Guiyou) 3 (The emperor had previously received the Queen Mother's words; in the seventh month of this year, he fasted and transmitted the Map of the Five Peaks to Dong Zhongjun, who immediately transcribed and received it). (Jiaxu) 4 (The emperor had also previously received the words of Lady Shangyuan; in the seventh month of the fourth year, he fasted and transmitted the Twelve Matters of the Lingfei of the Five Emperors and Six Jia to Li Shaojun, who immediately transcribed and received them. That these two texts circulate in the world is because they were first transmitted to these two gentlemen, and thus survived). (Yihai) 5. (Bingzi) 6. (Dingchou) Taichu, 1st year (In the eleventh month, on jiyou, celestial fire burned Bailiang Terrace. Thereupon the Charts of True Forms, the Twelve Matters of the Lingfei of the Six Jia and Five Emperors, together with the collected secret formulas received by the emperor, totaling four rolls stored in a common box, were all burned by the fire, losing their originals). (Wuyin) 2. (Jimao) 3. (Gengchen) 4. (Xinsi) Tianhan, 1st year. (Renwu) 2. (Guiwei) 3. (Jiashen) 4.

2.14

(Yiyou) Taishi, 1st year. (Bingxu) 2. (Dinghai) 3. (Wuzi) 4 (In the third month, the emperor visited Mount Tai to sacrifice to the Queen Mother of the West and seek numinous efficacy, but the deity did not respond). (Jichou) Yanhe, 1st year. (Gengyin) 2. (Xinmao) 3. (Renchen) 4 (In the first month, he visited the great sea at Donglai, fasting and sacrificing to the Queen Mother of the West and Lady Shangyuan to seek a response, but they did not descend). (Guisi) Houyuan, 1st year. (Jiawu) 2.

2.15

(Yiwei) Emperor Zhao, [named] Fuling (Son of Emperor Wu; reigned for 13 years, designated Shiyuan, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 524 years). (Bingshen) 2. (Dingyou) 3. (Wuxu) 4. (Jihai) 5. (Gengzi) 6. (Xinchou) Yuanfeng, 1st year. (Renyin) 2. (Guimao) 3. (Jiachen) 4. (Yisi) 5. (Bingwu) 6. (Dingwei) Yuanping, 1st year.

2.16

(Wushen) Emperor Xuan, [named] Xun (Great-grandson of Emperor Wu; reigned for 25 years. Taishi, 1st year [sic: Benshi]. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 530 years). (Jiyou) 2. (Gengxu) 3. (Xinhai) 4.

2.17

(Renzi) Dijie, 1st year. (Guichou) 2. (Jiayin) 3. (Yimao) 4. (Bingchen) Yuankang, 1st year. (Dingsi) 2. (Wuwu) 3. (Jiwei) 4. (Gengshen) Shenjue, 1st year. (Xinyou) 2. (Renxu) 3. (Guihai) 4. (Jiazi) Wufeng, 1st year. (Yichou) 2. (Bingyin) 3. (Dingmao) 4. (Wuchen) Ganlu, 1st year (also given as Ganshi, 1st year). (Jisi) 2. (Gengwu) 3. (Xinwei) 4.

2.18

(Renshen) Huanglong, 1st year.

2.19

(Guiyou) Emperor Yuan, [named] Shi (Son of Emperor Xuan; reigned for 16 years, Chuyuan, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 562 years). (Jiaxu) 2. (Yihai) 3. (Bingzi) 4. (Dingchou) 5. (Wuyin) Yongguang, 1st year. (Jimao) 2. (Gengchen) 3. (Xinsi) 4. (Renwu) 5. (Guiwei) Jianming, 1st year (also given as Jianzhao, 1st year). (Jiashen) 2. (Yiyou) 3. (Bingxu) 4. (Dinghai) 5. (Wuzi) Jingning, 1st year.

2.20

(Jichou) Emperor Cheng, [named] Ao (Son of Emperor Yuan; reigned for 26 years, designated Jianshi, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has already been 578 years). (Gengyin) 2. (Xinmao) 3. (Renchen) 4.

2.21

(Guisi) Heping, 1st year. (Jiawu) 2. (Yiwei) 3. (Bingshen) 4. (Dingyou) Yangming, 1st year (also given as Yangshuo). (Wuxu) 2. (Jihai) 3. (Gengzi) 4. (Xinchou) Hongjia, 1st year. (Renyin) 2. (Guimao) 3 (Grandee Liu Xiang abridged the Liexian zhuan, stating that seventy-four individuals had already appeared in Buddhist scriptures). (Jiachen) 4. (Yisi) Yongshi, 1st year. (Bingwu) 2. (Dingwei) 3. (Wushen) 4. (Jiyou) Yuanyan, 1st year. (Gengxu) 2. (Xinhai) 3. (Renzai) 4.

2.22

(Guichou) Suihe, 1st year. (Jiayin) 2.

2.23

(Yimao) Emperor Ai, [named] Xin (Grandson of Emperor Yuan; reigned for 6 years, designated Jianping, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has been 604 years). (Bingchen) 2. (Dingsi) 3. (Wuwu) 4.

2.24

(Jiwei) Yuanshou, 1st year (Jing Xian was sent on an envoy mission to the Da Yuezhi kingdom, where he received the Futu jing; 'Futu' is indeed 'Buddha'. How could it not be that the Tathāgata's succession has endured for long?). (Gengshen) 2.

2.25

(Xinyou) Emperor Ping, [named] Yan (Son of Emperor Ai [sic: Emperor Yuan's grandson]; reigned for 5 years, designated Yuanshi, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has been 610 years). (Renxu) 2. (Guihai) 3. (Jiazi) 4. (Yichou) 5. (Bingyin) Jushe, 1st year ([Wang] Mang enthroned Emperor Xuan's great-great-grandson Ying, titled Ruzi, while Mang served as Chancellor and regent over the governance of the state. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has been 615 years. Mang deposed Ruzi and posthumously titled him Emperor You). (Dingmao) 2.

2.26

(Wuchen) Chushi, 1st year.

2.27

The King of Xin, (Jisi) [Wang] Mang, assumed the true throne (designated Jianguo, 1st year). (Gengwu) 2. (Xinwei) 3. (Renshen) 4. (Guiyou) 5. (Jiaxu) Tianfeng, 1st year. (Yihai) 2. (Bingzi) 3. (Dingchou) 4. (Wuyin) 5. (Jimao) 6. (Gengchen) Dihuang, 1st year. (Xinsi) 2. (Renwu) 3.

2.28

(Guiwei) Gengshi, 1st year (Liu Xuan, courtesy name Shenggong. He destroyed Mang and reigned for 2 years, before being killed by the Red Eyebrows. Xuan was a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Jing. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has been 632 years). (Jiashen) 2.

2.29

(Later Han: Yiyou) Emperor Guangwu ([Liu] Xiu, courtesy name Wenshu; ninth-generation descendant of Emperor Gao; reigned for 33 years; moved the capital to Luoyang; designated Jianwu, 1st year. From the Buddha's entry into nirvāṇa up to this point, it has been 634 years). (Bingxu) 2. (Dinghai) 3. (Wuzi) 4. (Jichou) 5. (Gengyin) 6. (Xinmao) 7. (Renchen) 8. (Guisi) 9. (Jiawu) 10. (Yiwei) 11. (Bingshen) 12. (Dingyou) 13. (Wuxu) 14. (Jihai) 15. (Gengzi) 16. (Xinchou) 17. (Renyin) 18. (Guimao) 19. (Jiachen) 20. (Yisi) 21 (Sixteen kingdoms of the Western Regions, including the king of Yarkand, all sent their sons to enter attendance and offer tribute of local produce). (Bingwu) 22. (Dingwei) 23. (Wushen) 24. (Jiyou) 25. (Gengxu) 26. (Xinhai) 27. (Renzai) 28. (Guichou) 29. (Jiayin) 30. (Yimao) 31. (Bingchen) Zhongyuan, 1st year (In the second month, the emperor made an inspection tour east to Mount Tai, where he performed the burnt offering sacrifice and had stones inscribed. Clouds formed palaces and gate towers. After completing the feng and shan sacrifices at Mount Liangfu, he returned; passing through Lu, he offered sacrifices at the residence of Confucius. In the ninth month, sweet springs welled forth; those in the capital who drank from them were all cured of chronic illnesses). (Dingsi) 2 (In this year, the total census of households under heaven was 4,279,644, and the population was 21,007,820).

2.30

(Wuwu) Emperor Ming, Zhuang (fourth son of Guangwu; reigned eighteen years; era titled the 1st year of Yongping. By this point, 667 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Jiwei) Year 2. (Gengshen) Year 3. (Xinyou) Year 4. (Renxu) Year 5. (Guihai) Year 6. (Jiazi) Year 7 (In this year, the Emperor dreamed of a golden man flying down into the palace courtyard. This was a response corresponding to the images of the Buddha and the sūtra teachings. He commanded envoys to travel west in search of Buddhist sūtras). (Yichou) Year 8. (Bingyin) Year 9. (Dingmao) Year 10 (The envoys returned. Obtaining Kāśyapa Mātanga, they arrived at Luoyang, where he translated the Sūtra of Forty-two Sections. As the sūtras had been brought packed on a white horse, White Horse Monastery was then erected). (Wuchen) Year 11 (Zhu Falan produced the Fo benxing jing in five fascicles. The Chronology of Tao the Recluse [Tao Hongjing] states that the Emperor dreamed of the golden man and dispatched envoys in this year, slightly differing from the other authorities; yet based on the outcome, it is by no means mistaken). (Jisi) Year 12. (Gengwu) Year 13 (Zhu Falan produced the Shidi duanjie jing in four fascicles). (Xinwei) Year 14. (Renshen) Year 15. (Guiyou) Year 16. (Jiaxu) Year 17. (Yihai) Year 18.

2.31

(Bingzi) Emperor Zhang, Da (son of Emperor Ming; reigned thirteen years; era titled the 1st year of Jianchu. By this point, 685 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Dingchou) Year 2. (Wuyin) Year 3. (Jimao) Year 4 (Ban Gu, Gentleman of Discussions, having begun composing the Han shu at the start of Yongping, brought it to completion only in this year, over more than twenty years in all). (Gengchen) Year 5. (Xinsi) Year 6. (Renwu) Year 7. (Guiwei) Year 8. (Jiashen) 1st year of Yuanhe. (Yiyou) Year 2. (Bingxu) Year 3. (Dinghai) 1st year of Zhanghe (An imperial edict dispatched Cao Bao to establish the rites and ceremonies, in one hundred and fifty chapters in all). (Wuzi) Year 2.

2.32

(Jichou) Emperor He, Zhao (son of Emperor Zhang; reigned seventeen years; era titled the 1st year of Yongyuan. By this point, 698 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Gengyin) Year 2. (Xinmao) Year 3. (Renchen) Year 4. (Guisi) Year 5. (Jiawu) Year 6. (Yiwei) Year 7. (Bingshen) Year 8. (Dingyou) Year 9. (Wuxu) Year 10. (Jihai) Year 11. (Gengzi) Year 12. (Xinchou) Year 13 (Parthia presented a lion). (Renyin) Year 14. (Guimao) Year 15. (Jiachen) Year 16. (Yisi) 1st year of Yuanxing.

2.33

(Bingwu) Emperor Shang, Long (son of Emperor He; reigned one year; era titled the 1st year of Yanping. By this point, 715 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa).

2.34

(Dingwei) Emperor An, You (grandson of Emperor Zhang; reigned nineteen years; era titled the 1st year of Yongchu. By this point, 716 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Wushen) Year 2. (Jiyou) Year 3. (Gengxu) Year 4. (Xinhai) Year 5. (Renzi) Year 6. (Guichou) Year 7. (Jiayin) 1st year of Yuanchu (Yelang and other states beyond the borders of Jiuzhen submitted to the empire, opening up territory of one thousand eight hundred li). (Yimao) Year 2. (Bingchen) Year 3. (Dingsi) Year 4. (Wuwu) Year 5. (Jiwei) Year 6.

2.35

(Gengshen) 1st year of Yongning (In the fourth month, the Emperor commanded Liu Zhen, Supervisor of the Receptionists, to compile biographies of eminent officials since the Jianwu era). (Xinyou) 1st year of Jianguang. (Renxu) 1st year of Yanguang. (Guihai) Year 2. (Jiazi) Year 3. (Yichou) Year 4.

2.36

(Bingyin) Emperor Shun, Bao (son of Emperor An; reigned nineteen years; era titled the 1st year of Yongjian. By this point, 735 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Dingmao) Year 2 (In the second month, the Emperor commanded the authorities to prepare dark and light red silks to summon Fan Ying of Nanyang, Huang Qiong, Yang Hou, and others. They arrived at the Palace Carriage Office, where mats were set up on an altar to inquire into political successes and failures; when this was finished, they were sent back with courtesy). (Wuchen) Year 3. (Jisi) Year 4. (Gengwu) Year 5. (Xinwei) Year 6. (Renshen) 1st year of Yangjia. (Guiyou) Year 2. (Jiaxu) Year 3. (Yihai) Year 4. (Bingzi) 1st year of Yonghe. (Dingchou) Year 2. (Wuyin) Year 3. (Jimao) Year 4. (Gengchen) Year 5. (Xinsi) Year 6 (At that time there was Zhang Ling in Shu, titled Heavenly Master. He composed twenty-four fascicles of Daoist scriptures and discussed the methods of petitions and offerings; the petitions and offerings of the Daoist masters began from this). (Renwu) 1st year of Han'an. (Guiwei) Year 2. (Jiashen) 1st year of Jiankang.

2.37

(Yiyou) Emperor Chong, Bing (grandson of Emperor Shun; reigned one year; era titled the 1st year of Yongjia. Zhang Ling's son Heng was the Grand Guardian. By this point, 754 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Bingxu) Emperor Zhi, Zan (great-great-grandson of Emperor Zhang; reigned one year; era titled the 1st year of Benchu. By this point, 755 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa).

2.38

(Dinghai) Emperor Huan, Zhi (great-grandson of Emperor Zhang; reigned twenty-one years; era titled the 1st year of Jianchu [error for Jianhe]. By this point, 756 years had already passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa. Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: In this year Lokakṣema translated the Akṣobhyabuddha Sūtra in two fascicles). (Wuzi) Year 2 (The Biographies of Eminent Monks states: From the second year of Jianchu [Jianhe] down into the Jianning era of Emperor Ling, over a total of more than twenty years, An Shigao translated a combined total of one hundred and seventy-four texts of sūtras such as the Dharmapada, in one hundred and eighty-eight fascicles). (Jichou) Year 3. (Gengyin) 1st year of Heping. (Xinmao) 1st year of Yuanjia (Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: In this year Shigao translated the Wushi jiaoji jing in two fascicles and the Qichu sanguan jing in two fascicles). (Renchen) Year 2 (Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: In this year Shigao translated the Pufa yi jing in one fascicle and the Neizang jing in one fascicle).

2.39

(Guisi) 1st year of Yongxing. (Jiawu) Year 2. (Yiwei) 1st year of Yongshou. (Bingshen) Year 2 (Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: In this year Shigao translated the Ren benyusheng jing in one fascicle). (Dingyou) Year 3.

2.40

(Wuxu) 1st year of Yanxi. (Jihai) Year 2. (Gengzi) Year 3. (Xinchou) Year 4. (Renyin) Year 5. (Guimao) Year 6. (Jiachen) Year 7. (Yisi) Year 8. (Bingwu) Year 9. (Dingwei) 1st year of Yongkang (Zhi Mindu's catalogue states: In this year Shigao translated the Yogācārabhūmi in seven fascicles, or six fascicles).

2.41

(Wushen) Emperor Ling, Hong (great-great-grandson of Emperor Zhang; reigned twenty-two years; era titled the 1st year of Jianning. By this point, 777 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Jiyou) Year 2. (Gengxu) Year 3 (Only in this year did Shigao's translation of sūtras come to a close; not limited to a single place, he produced them wherever he stayed). (Xinhai) Year 4.

2.42

(Renzi) 1st year of Xiping. (Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: In this year Zhu Foshuo translated the Daoxing jing in one fascicle in Luoyang; Dao'an composed a commentary and a preface for it). (Guichou) Year 2. (Jiayin) Year 3. (Yimao) Year 4 (The Emperor, fond of calligraphy, personally composed the Yihuang pian in fifty chapters). (Bingchen) Year 5. (Dingsi) Year 6. (Wuwu) 1st year of Guanghe. (Jiwei) Year 2 (Zhi Mindu's catalogue states: On the eighth day of the seventh month, Lokakṣema translated the Prajñā daoxing pin and others in ten fascicles). (Gengshen) Year 3 (Nie Daozhen's catalogue states: On the eighth day of the tenth month, Lokakṣema translated the Pratyutpanna-samādhi Sūtra in two fascicles and the Ratnakūṭa Sūtra in one fascicle in Luoyang). (Xinyou) Year 4 (Commandant An Xuan translated the Fajing jing in two fascicles and the Oral Explanation of the Āgamas in one fascicle; they were produced in Luoyang, with Yan Fotiao serving as scribe). (Renxu) Year 5. (Guihai) Year 6 (Zhu Foshuo translated the Daoxing jing in one fascicle in Luoyang; Lokakṣema interpreted orally, and Meng Fu and Zhang Lian served as scribes). (Jiazi) 1st year of Zhongping. (Yichou) Year 2 (Zhi Yao translated eleven sūtra texts in eleven fascicles, including the Chenggu guangming [jing], in Luoyang). (Bingyin) Year 3 (Zhu Shixing's Han Catalogue states: On the eighth day of the second month, Lokakṣema translated the Śūraṅgamasamādhi Sūtra in two fascicles in Luoyang). (Dingmao) Year 4 (Kang Ju translated the Wen diyushi jing in one fascicle in Luoyang. Emperor Wen of Wei was born). (Wuchen) Year 5 (The Biographies of Eminent Monks states: Six sūtras totaling ten fascicles, including the ancient Vimalakīrti, were all produced in Luoyang by Yan Fotiao of Linhuai). (Jisi) Year 6 (In the first month the era was changed to the 1st year of Guanghe [Guangxi]; in the tenth month it was changed to the 1st year of Zhaoning; in the twelfth month it was changed to the 1st year of Yonghan).

2.43

(Gengwu) Emperor Xian, Xie (son of Emperor Ling; reigned thirty years; era titled the 1st year of Chuping. In the second month Dong Zhuo abducted the Emperor and forced the court to move to Chang'an. Yuan Shao raised troops in Bohai; Sun Jian raised troops in Jiangnan. By this point, 799 years had passed since the Buddha entered nirvāṇa). (Xinwei) Year 2. (Renshen) Year 3. (Guiyou) Year 4. (Jiaxu) 1st year of Xingping (Zhu Daozu's Han Catalogue states: In this year Kang Mengxiang translated the Sūtra on the Four Truths in one fascicle in Luoyang, differing slightly from the version produced by Shigao). (Yihai) Year 2. (Bingzi) 1st year of Jian'an. (Dingchou) Year 2 (In the third month the śramaṇa Zhu Dali translated the Xiuxing benqi jing in two fascicles in Luoyang). (Wuyin) Year 3. (Jimao) Year 4 (The Biographies of Eminent Monks states: Five texts totaling eight fascicles, including the Xingqi benxing jing, were all produced by Kang Mengxiang). (Gengchen) Year 5. (Xinsi) Year 6. (Renwu) Year 7. (Guiwei) Year 8. (Jiashen) Year 9. (Yiyou) Year 10 (An imperial edict ordered Xun Yue to compile the Han ji). (Bingxu) Year 11. (Dinghai) Year 12 (The Biographies of Eminent Monks states: The Zhong benqi jing in two fascicles was produced in this year by Tan-guo together with Mengxiang). (Wuzi) Year 13. (Jichou) Year 14. (Gengyin) Year 15. (Xinmao) Year 16 (The Biographies of Eminent Monks states: The Xiuxing benqi jing in two fascicles was produced in this year by Zhu Dali). (Renchen) Year 17. (Guisi) Year 18. (Jiawu) Year 19 (Zhang Lu, grandson of Zhang Ling, newly fabricated talismans and petitions, calling himself the Master Lord; leading his followers in rebellion, he was appointed General of the Household who Pacifies the Barbarians). (Yiwei) Year 20. (Bingshen) Year 21. (Dingyou) Year 22. (Wuxu) Year 23. (Jihai) Year 24.

2.44

Record of the Three Jewels through the Successive Dynasties, Fascicle 2 (Chronological succession of imperial reigns: Former Han, Xin of Wang [Mang], and Later Han).

Linked texts (1)

歷代三寶紀 — Classical Chinese