大唐內典錄 3.17

3.17

Preface: Availing oneself of the times to rescue the mundane and opening the Way to transform living beings is that whereto rulers turn their allegiance and whereon Chinese and barbarians align their aspirations. There was Qifu Guoren, a Xianbei of Longyou. For generations his clan dwelled in Yuanchuan, serving as Southern Chanyu. After the collapse of the Former Qin, he succeeded to authority and founded his enterprise, establishing his capital at Zicheng and naming his state Western Qin. He venerated and served monks. At that time, the Venerable Shengjian traveled to propagate the teaching and arrived in that country. Guoren revered him, and the favor and reception he accorded him were exceedingly generous. Having spread the Śākya style, [Shengjian] set forth translations in accordance with circumstances. Successively transmitted through five rulers over forty-four years, [the Western Qin] was destroyed by Helian of the Xia; the Xia in turn was swallowed by the Wei. One source states that Guoren's younger brother, Qifu Gangui, assumed the title of king, naming his reign Southern Liang. The first year of Taichu corresponded to the thirteenth year of Taiyuan under Emperor Xiaowu of the Jin, the wuzi year. In the twelfth year of Taichu, he surrendered to Li Tan. After nine years, Gangui's son succeeded and proclaimed the era Gengshi down to Mumo. He reigned for two years, corresponding to the seventh year of Yuanjia of the Song, when he was captured by Xia Bo. In truth, it totaled thirty-seven years. Now, compiling them together, the scriptures translated as well as those of lost translators are set forth below, not needing repetitive listing.