Indian Literature Abroad
Summary
Indian Literature Abroad details the transmission of Indian Buddhist texts to China from the 10th to 13th centuries. Danapala, a *shramana* of Udyana, arrived in China in 980 A.D. with Dharmadeva and Tien-si-tsai, receiving imperial titles and translating 111 texts, primarily *dharanis*, which influenced Chinese Buddhism. Three years after Danapala’s death, Dharmaraksa (Fa-hu), a *dramana* of Magadha, arrived in 983 A.D. and translated key Mahayana and Tantric texts, including the *Ratnakuta Sutra* and *He-Vajra-tanira*, until his death in 1065 A.D. He received honors from Emperor Jen-Tsung and led a Translation Board. Wei-Tsing, a Chinese collaborator, translated works like Sthiramati’s commentary on Nagarjuna’s *Madhyamaka Sutra*. Maitreya-bhadra, a *sramana* of Magadha, became State-teacher, translating five texts. During the Mongol rule (1279–1388), Pagspa, a Tibetan scholar, invented a Mongol script and translated Buddhist texts, including a *Vinaya* work. Despite limited translators in the Yuan period, Indian and Tibetan scholars contributed to Buddhist scholarship, blending Indian traditions with Chinese contexts. The era saw the rise of the Chan school and Confucian influences, reflecting Buddhism’s enduring impact on Chinese culture.
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Conclusion
This study highlights the significant role of Indian Buddhist scholars like Dharmapala and Dharmaraksa in shaping Chinese Buddhist literature through extensive translations (980–1050 AD), fostering cross-cultural exchange and the spread of Tantric and Mahayana thought. Their work not only enriched Chinese Buddhist canon but also preserved and disseminated key Sanskrit texts, influencing Chinese intellectual and religious traditions. The establishment of the Imperial Translation Board (1009 AD) underscores the institutional recognition of these efforts, while the later decline of Indian literary influence during the Jurchen period (1128–1280 AD) marks a shift in cultural dynamics. The findings emphasize the enduring legacy of early medieval Indian scholars in mediating transnational Buddhist networks and their lasting impact on East Asian literary heritage.