Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.28

v1.c4.s2.28

Translation was necessary for Buddhism to be introduced into China. During this period, Chinese as well as monks from India were involved in sutra translation. From the 1ˢᵗ to 3ʳᵈ centuries CE among such translators were Dharmakala, Vighna, Zhu Luyan, Zhi Qian, Kang Senghui, Baiyan, Samghavarman, Tan Di, Dharmaraksa, Nie Chengyuan, Zhi Qian and others. Among them, Dharmaraksa was the most important translator. From the 4ᵗʰ to 6ᵗʰ centuries CE, there were Dao'an, Boyuan, Srimitra, Samghabhuti, Buddhabhadra, Dharmanandi, Samghadeva, Samgharaksa, Zhu Fonian, Dharmayasa, Kumarajiva, Punyatara, Dharmaruci, Vimalaksa, Buddhayawa, Buddhabhadr, Dharmaksema, Faxian, Gunavarman, Xie Lingyun, Zhimeng, Sanga Gendun, Gunabhadra, Paramartha, Bodhiruci and Narendrayasas. Among them, the most important were Dao'an and Kumarajiva who not only translated many classic volumes but also proposed their own translation theories.