出三藏記集 13.8

13.8

An Xuan was a native of Parthia. His disposition was upright and pure, profound and endowed with rational discernment. As an upāsaka, he upheld the precepts of the Dharma without the slightest deficiency. Broadly chanting the scriptures, he was conversant with many of them. Toward the end of the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han, he traded in Luoyang; having merit, he was titled Cavalry Commandant (Qiduwei). By nature he was quiet, modest, and respectful, always taking Dharma affairs as his personal duty. Gradually mastering the Chinese language, he set his will upon propagating the scriptures, often discussing the principles of the Way with śramaṇas; this was what the world called 'the discourses of the Commandant.' Xuan, together with the śramaṇa Yan Fotiao, produced the Fajing jing (Ugraparipṛcchā-sūtra). Xuan orally translated the Fan text, and Fotiao served as scribal recorder. The meaning was grasped and the phonetic rendering was accurate, fully conveying the subtle purport of the scripture; the excellence of their craftsmanship was praised by later generations. Fotiao was a native of Linhuai. In his youth he was extraordinarily intelligent, sharp, and fond of learning; faith and wisdom came naturally to him. He then left household life to cultivate the Way. Versed in translating scriptures, he was held in high esteem at the time. The world remarked: 'Marquis An, the Commandant, and Fotiao—the translations of these three are hailed as difficult to equal.' Fotiao also composed the Shihui (Tenfold Wisdom), which circulated in the world. Master Dao'an praised Fotiao's translation of scriptures as being concise and not tedious, keeping the original complete in its subtle skill. Next was Kang Mengxiang, whose ancestors were people of Kangju. He translated the Zhongbenqi [jing]. Master Dao'an praised Mengxiang's translated scriptures as flowing and smooth, fully conveying the profound subtleties. Later there was the śramaṇa Vighna, a native of Tianzhu. In the third year of the Huangwu era of Sun Quan, he brought a Hu text of the Tanbo jing to Wuchang. Tanbo is the Dharmapada (Faju jing). At that time, Zhi Qian requested that the scripture be translated, and so he had his companion Zhu Jiangyan translate it, with Qian transcribing it into Chinese text. At that time, Jiangyan was not yet proficient in Chinese, and quite a bit remained incomplete; nevertheless, aiming at the original meaning, it was close to plain truth. This is the Dharmapada transmitted today. As for Bai Yan, it is unknown where he came from. Toward the end of the Zhengshi era of Wei, he retranslated the Śūraṅgama, as well as the Xulai (Surata-paripṛcchā) and the Chuzai huan jing (Scripture on Eliminating Calamities), totaling three works.