Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s4.t2.2

v1.c7.s4.t2.2

An Shigao (2ⁿᵈ century CE), also known as An Qing, was a great translator of Buddhist scriptures. He moved to China towards the end of Eastern Han Dynasty. According to Gao seng zhuan [*Biographies of Eminent Monks*], An Shigao was originally a prince from Parthia. Praised for his filial conduct in childhood, he was a wise and intelligent student with comprehensive knowledge of foreign books, astronomy, calendar, medicines and prescriptions, even sounds of birds and animals. Deeply influenced by Buddhist concepts of suffering and emptiness, he detested and rejected materialism and sought relief in spiritualism. After the death of his father, he inherited the throne. But soon after the mourning, he passed the throne to his uncle and became a monk. Because he was of royal blood, he continued to be popularly known by his honourific title, An Hou [Marquis of Parthia]. He had broad and extensive knowledge of *Abhidharma Pitaka* and was an expert in meditation. Travelling and teaching, he set his footprints in the countries throughout the Western Regions. In the early Jianhe period of the reign of Emperor Huan of Han (about 148 CE), he came to Luoyang and soon learned Chinese and began to translate and publicise Buddhist sutras, successively with the translated works of *An ban shou yi jing* [*Sutra on the Maintenance of Thought by the Practice of Ānāpanāsati*], *Yin chi ru jing* [*Sutra on Skandha, Dhātu and Āyatana or On Entrance to Truth by Covert Maintenance*], Ren ben yu sheng jing [*Sutra on Moha, Chanda, and Jāti, or the Origin of the Life of Man in Desires*], *Dao De jing* [*Classic on Dao*] etc.