Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s2.17

v2.c12.s2.17

In 5ᵗʰ and 6ᵗʰ century, Buddhist monks continued to come to China from India. They translated Buddhist scriptures and also contributed to the spread of Zen Buddhism leading to its mutual interaction with Daoist Qigong. Influenced thus, many Chinese scholar-monks produced significant works on Zen. Indian Monks like Gunabhadra (394 ~ 468 CE) from Kapisa (Kashmir), Gunavarman (367 ~ 431 CE), and Dharmamitra (356 ~ 442 CE), as well as Liangliang Yeshe [Kālayashas] (c. 390 to 450 CE), and others from the western region became famous because of their translation of Zen Buddhist scriptures and transmission of Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma (528 or 536 CE) from south India stayed in China for nine years and widely introduced his native meditational style. He is one of immortal figures in the history of Qigong.