Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s5.t2: Buddhist Canon in Chinese
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s5.t2
- Language
- English
Buddhist Canon in Chinese
v1.c7.s5.t2.1
Chinese Tripitaka contains collections of *Mahayana* and Hinayana scriptures. During 1,000 years since Buddhism was introduced into China, Chinese Tripitaka collected more than 50 kinds of scriptures, but only about 20 kinds of scriptures of the unequal size are preserved till now. Buddhist scriptures in different times have different forms and contents. Before Song Dynasty, except Fangshan Stone Sutras, all these scriptures were almost written in scroll and bonded together. During Kai Bao Years of Song Dynasty (968~975), the first Tripitaka in wood carving came out. After that a total of 20 kinds (some says 21 kinds) of *Tripitaka* in wood carving form and printing form were issued from the Ming and Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China. After Buddhism was introduced eastward into Korea and Japan, Buddhist scriptures was transcribed or carved or printed in the two countries according to Chinese Tripitaka. The first carving version of Kai Bao Zang was introduced into Japan in the first year of Yong Xi of Northern Song Dynasty (984) and then introduced into Korea during Duan Gong years (988~989). The Tianxi revised version and the Xining revised version were respectively introduced into Qidan and Korea in the first year of Qian Xing (1022) and the sixth year of Yuan Feng (1083). In the ninth year of Qing Ning of Liao Dynasty (1063), the Kitans also sent the new carved Qi Dan Zang to Korea. In the middle of 6th century, some Chinese translated Buddhist scriptures were introduced into Japan via Paekche country, south Korea. In early 7th century, Buddhism had a great development in Japan because the copies of various Chinese translation Buddhist scriptures and the official or private carved Tripitaka were introduced into the Japanese temples. During over 700 years from the end of 13th century to 1920s, according to various Chinese translation Buddhist scriptures, the Japanese Buddhism once compiled, carved or printed seven Chinese *Tri-pitakas*, such as Hong An Zang, Tian Hai Zang, Huang Bo Zang, Hong Jiao Zang, Wan Zheng Zang Jing, Wan Xu Zang Jing, Da Zheng Xin Xiu Da Zang Jing. In early 20th century, the Japanese Buddhists also translated Hinayana Sthaviravada Tripitaka into Japanese Nan Chuan Da Zang Jing (65 volumes) and meanwhile compiled and issued Guo Yi Da Zang Jing, Guo Yi Yi Qie Jing and Japanese Tri-pitaka which not only collected the Chinese translations, but also collected numerous Japanese chapters and mixed writings.
v1.c7.s5.t2.2
(*Tong Wei*)