Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c8.s1.4

v1.c8.s1.4

1^st-6^th century CE: According to Lu Cheng (refer to Lu Cheng's entry), An Shih-kao (refer to An Shihkao's entry) and Lokaksema (refer to Lokaksema's entry) must be considered as the earliest translators in China. An Shih-kao was from Parthia. His scriptures were altogether 39, which maintained righteous argumentation, fair and proper writing, natural words, plain but not vulgar letters. An Shih-kao's writing set solid foundation for translators of later generations. Lokaksema was from Yuezhi and whatever he translated from Sanskrit amounted to over 10 scriptures in translation. His translation was true to the original text and maintained a plain style. In the 2^nd century CE, there were Indian, central Asian and Chinese translators of the Buddhist scriptures and they often worked together. Their work could be divided into three parts: Kou-xuan (reading the original text), Chuan-yan (interpretation) and Bi-shou (writing into texts).