Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t5: Empress Wu Zetian
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t5
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Empress Wu Zetian
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Wu Zetian, also known as Wu Zhao (624-705 CE, on the throne from 690-705 CE), was the only empress in the history of China. She paid special attention to Buddhist doctrines, and provided great endorsement for the translation of Buddhism scriptures, and therefore made great contributions to the cultural exchange between China and India.
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Wu Zetian laid her claim to be the empress in the Tianshou first year of Tang (690 CE) and then changed the title of her reigning dynasty into Zhou. However, since the Xianqing period of the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (656-660 CE) to the Hongdao first year when Emperor Gaozong passed away, she had already headed the administration and along with Emperor Gaozong was known as one of the "Two Saints". In effect, later period of Emperor Gaozong's reign overlapped by the period of Empress Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian's reign lasted all the way down to the year of 705, not long ago before her death, and during the period of her reign, the government was functioning excellently and people were all leading a harmonious life, and the whole country was in prosperity with stable borders and a flourishing culture. Therefore, people highly praised her period as an extension of golden years of Zhenguan (the period of the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang). As far as the Sino-India exchange is concerned, Empress Wu Zetian laid a special emphasis on Buddhism and greatly supported the translation of Buddhist scriptures, and during the period of her reign, the Sino-India exchange centered on the dissemination of dharma and translation of Buddhism scriptures, presenting a brand-new image of prosperity.
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Empress Wu Zetian
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Yijing’s Visit to West
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Yi Jing, started his journey to India in the Xianheng second year and reached the eastern India in the Xianheng fourth year by way of Srivijaya now in Indonesia. In the Xianheng 5ᵗʰ year (674 CE), Yi Jing arrived at the Nalanda Monastery. During a period of nine years ranging from the Shangyuan second year (675 CE) to Guangzhai first year (684 CE), Yi Jing had been learning Buddhism doctrines at the Nalanda Monastery. (*The Great Tang Record of Buddhist Practices Sent Home from the Southern Sea*, volume IV) Just about half a century ago when Master Xuanzang arrived at Nalanda Monastery, It seemed that he was the only one Chinese student there. However, Yi Jing met so many monks from Tang there such as Xuanzhao, Fotuodamo, Sengzhe, Huilun, Daolin, Zhihong, Wuxing etc, from which we can see that the Sino-India cultural exchange was further enhanced at that time.
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In the Chuigong first year of Tang (685 CE), Yi Jing left the Nalanda Monastery and started his journey back to China. He boarded a ship in Tamralipta (in present-day West Bengal) with more than 400 Tripitakas in Sanskrit. During the Tianshou second year, Yi Jing finished the books of *Records of Eminent Monks of Tang Learning Buddhism Doctrines in Western Regions* and *The Great Tang Record of Buddhist Practices Sent Home from the Southern Sea* and so on. On May 15ᵗʰ of lunar calendar, he sent Dajin back to Tang with two books and another 10 volumes of newly translated Buddhism scriptures and he also requested the imperial court to build a temple in the west.
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In Zhengsheng first year (695 CE), Yi Jing returned to Luoyang, where Empress Wu Zetian welcomed him outside the east gate of the city.
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Between the Wansui Dengfeng first year to Shengli second year of Tang, Yi Jing translated Avatamsaka Sutra in places like Luoyang and Siksananda. From the Shengli third year (700 CE) to Chang'an third year (703 CE), he translated Buddhism scriptures in Luoyang and Changan. During the Changan fourth year (704), he established a precept platform in Shaolin Temple and made the inscription for it by himself. (*Collection of Important Essays on Epigraphy*, volume 70, *Inscription on the Precept Platform of Shaoling Temple*) Yi Jing passed away in 713 CE.
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Yi Jing’s visit to the West was to learn *Vinaya Pitaka*. In his whole life, he translated a wide range of Buddhism scriptures which included the classics of *Mahayana*, *Hinayana* and *Vajrayana*, and the most influential are *Avatamsaka Sutra* and *Golden Light Sutra*. Moreover, he also translated the *Thousand Character Classic in Sanskrit* for people to learn Sanskrit, which was a very useful textbook for beginners of Sanskrit at that time.
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Translation of Baoyu Sutra
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The rulers of Tang all proclaimed themselves as the descendants of Lao Zi, a very famous philosopher in the spring and autumn period, and also the founder of Daoism. However, Empress Wu Zetian, who overthrew the reign of Tang and successfully established Zhou Dynasty, utilised Buddhism to enhance her authority. In July of the Tianshou first year (690 CE), Fa Ming, a monk in the Dongweiguo Temple in Luoyang created Dayun Sutra totaling four volumes and presented it to Empress Wu, saying that Empress Wu Zetian was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. The saying aroused great attention and interest of Empress Wu, and in October, monk Yun Xuan wrote another book as *Dayun Sutra Commentaries*. In the Changshou second year (693 CE), Empress Wu ordered Xue Huaiyi to supervise and Indian monk Bodhiruci to retranslate *Baoyu Sutra Preached by Buddha*, and in this book, the materials of promoting the rationality of women to rule the country were added. Later, Empress Wu Zetian titled herself as the Cakra Holy Spirit Emperor etc.
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Buddha Statue at Fengxian Temple in Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang, Henan, China
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Besides the above interactions, during Wu Zetian's reign there were numerous other official and unofficial interactions between India and China.
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In the Linde second year (665 CE), Empress Wu Zetian went to the Mount Tai with envoys of India, Kawmira, Wuchang etc to offer sacrifices to heaven.
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In the Tianshou second year (691 CE), five regions of India all sent envoys to Tang: Moluozhimo, emperor of the East India, Shiluoyiduo, emperor of the West India, Zhelouqibaluopo, emperor of the South India, Louqinana, emperor of the North India and Dipoxina, emperor of the central India sent envoys to Tang.
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In the Changshou second year (693 CE), North India monk Ratnacinta came to live in the Tiangong Temple of Luoyang. That same year Indian monk Huizhi translated Ode to Avalokitesvara.
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(*Zhang Yuan*)