zhi qian

Zhi Qian (Ch:支谦) was a Kushan Buddhist monk of Yuezhi ethnicity who translated around thirty-six Buddhist sutras into Chinese between 222 and 253 CE. His origin is described in his adopted Chinese name by the prefix Zhi (Ch:支), abbreviation of Yuezhi (Ch:月支). ZhiQian's grandfather was called Fadu (Ch:法度) and was reportedly the leader of the of Yuezhi people and Buddhist missionaries who went to China during the reign of the Emperor Han Lingdi. Fadu was appointed a Court Gentleman by the Han court. Zhi Qian studied with Zhi Liang and was one of the disciples of Lokaksema. He translated a large quantity of Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna scriptures. Among his most important translations are:

A life the Buddha (Ch: 太子瑞应经Taizi ruiying jing).
The Vimalakīrtinirde in two chapters (Ch:维摩诘经, Weimojie jing).
The Astasāhasrika-prajnāpāramita in fourchapters

(Ch: 大明度无极经, Da mingdu wuji jing).

Zhi Qian

See also