Zhi Qian

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Zhi Qian (Ch:支謙) 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).

Zhi Qian'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: 太子瑞應經Taizi ruiying jing).
• The Vimalakīrtinirdeśa in two chapters (Ch:維摩詰經, Weimojie jing).
• The Astasāhasrika-prajnāpāramita in four chapters

(Ch: 大明度無極經, Da mingdu wuji jing).

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[edit] See also

• Silk Road transmission of Buddhism