The Vinaya Texts in Chinese
Summary
The article surveys Chinese Vinaya texts—the monastic discipline rules—preserved in the Chinese Buddhist canon. It notes that early travellers such as Fa‑hien travelled to India and Ceylon, studied Mahisasaka and Mahasanghika recensions of the Vinaya and brought them back to China, while later pilgrims like I‑tsing returned with the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya. Particular attention is given to the Fan‑wang‑ching (Brahmajala‑sutra) translation attributed to Kumarajiva in A.D. 406. This text blends Hinayana disciplinary precepts with Mahayana bodhisattva ideals, outlining commandments for monks, nuns and lay followers and later became an authoritative code in East Asian Buddhism. The article describes how the Chinese Vinaya literature classifies offences, stresses confession and repentance, and introduces the bodhisattva vows, thereby integrating ethical discipline and compassion. By comparing these translations with Indian originals, the author highlights adaptations made for Chinese monastic life and emphasises that the Vinaya texts reveal the spread of Buddhism across cultures and the emergence of hybrid disciplines. These texts continue to inform monastic practice throughout East Asia today.
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Conclusion
Surveying major Chinese translations of the Vinaya, the article shows how travelers like Fa‑hien and I‑tsing introduced diverse disciplinary traditions to China. The Fan‑wang‑ching synthesizes Hinayana and Mahayana ideals and became a key monastic code. Adaptations for Chinese practice illustrate Buddhism’s flexibility and the enduring influence of these texts.