古今譯經圖紀 1.4

1.4

The śramaṇa Kāśyapa Mātanga was a native of Central India and of brāhmaṇa caste. From youth he was sharp and quick to understand, and had an imposing presence. Widely learned and having heard much, he was especially clear about the sūtras and vinaya; his powers of reflection were precise and extensive, exploring mysteries and fathoming depths, presenting the texts and analyzing principles. Whenever he had a new insight, it exceeded ordinary bounds. He once travelled in Western India to a small kingdom, which invited Mātanga to lecture on the Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra. Soon after, a neighbouring state raised troops and came to attack. Yet as they were about to cross the border, there was always an obstacle and the troops could not advance. The army of that kingdom suspected there were unusual arts at work and secretly sent messengers to spy. They only saw the ruler and ministers sitting peacefully together listening to the Mahāyāna sūtra he was expounding, which explained the methods by which the Earth Spirit King protects the state. Thereupon, having witnessed this divine verification, that kingdom sued for peace and sought the Dharma. At that time, Cai Yin and the others earnestly made their request to Mātanga. Mātanga then came together with Yin and the others. He had an audience with the Emperor in Luoyang. In the tenth year of the Yongping reign era, the year being dingmao, he translated at the Baima Monastery: the Sūtra of Forty-two Chapters (in one fascicle). This sūtra was originally an extract from foreign scriptures. Because the great transformation had only begun to spread and people had not yet developed deep faith, Mātanga held back his subtle explanations and did not immediately translate extensively; he merely summarized the sūtra's essentials to guide the customs of the time. Mātanga later passed away in Luoyang.