Translating India: The Buddhist project and the Chinese translation school
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7968.2025.e105427Keywords:
buddhist translation project, monk-translators, Chinese translation school, ancient India, translation studiesAbstract
The history of translation in China can be broadly divided into two pivotal moments, each driven by distinct needs: translating from the outside inward and from the inside outward. This article focuses on the former, specifically the monumental project of translating the Buddhist canon, which encompasses sutras, vinaya, and sastra. The “Buddhist project” (Cheung, 2014), a term used to describe the translation of the entire Buddhist canon and knowledge imported from India, spanned from the mid-2nd century to the early 12th century. This unprecedented endeavor significantly influenced the formation of the “Chinese translation school”. To understand this influence, we must first examine the historical context of India-China relations in the 2nd century. The article then explores the development of a discourse on sutra translation, highlighting the contributions of prolific translators An Shigao, Daoan, Zhi Qian, Paramārtha, and Kumārajīva. Finally, we discuss the long-term impact of importing and translating Indian philosophies and thoughts during the Buddhist project. This impact shaped the “Chinese school of translation” and triggered changes in China's “proto-language policy” for foreign languages. By analyzing this transformative period in Chinese translation history, we gain insights into the profound influence of cross-cultural exchange on linguistic and philosophical development.
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