A Textual Research on Lingxian, a Japanese Classic Translator in Tang Dynasty

A Textual Research on Lingxian, a Japanese Classic Translator in Tang Dynasty

Lingxian, a Japanese monk who stayed in the Tang Dynasty, is the only Japanese monk who participated in the Chinese translation of Buddhist scriptures. He made outstanding contributions to the spread of Buddhist culture and played an important role in the history of Buddhist exchanges between China and Japan. Such a learned monk, but no one has erected a monument for him, has become an eternal mystery, which needs further research by future generations.

Keywords: Japan; Send envoys (monks) to the Tang Dynasty; Master lingxian

Lingxian, the date of birth and death is unknown. There is little information about Lingxian handed down from generation to generation. According to the existing scattered historical materials, he is the only Japanese monk who participated in the Chinese translation of Buddhist scriptures, made outstanding contributions to the spread of Buddhist culture, and occupied an important position in the history of Sino-Japanese Buddhist exchanges, which is one of the reasons why I am interested in Lingxian. Another reason is that Lingxian himself has left many eternal mysteries to future generations. As a generation of eminent monks, why did Lingxian leave Chang 'an to live in Wutai Mountain instead of returning to China to preach Buddhism after his studies? Why did the patriotic spirit fairy not go back to Japan in person, but asked someone to hand over the new sutra relics and other things to the emperor? Thus, it caused the mystery of the disappearance of the hundred taels of gold given by the emperor. Who's got the gold? It is an indisputable fact that Lingxian died in Wutai Mountain, but how did he die? Is he really poisoned as recorded by Ren Yuan? Such a learned monk, but no one has erected a monument for him, which certainly adds many difficulties to our research today, but as far as the influence of Lingxian himself at that time is concerned, it is no less than that of Konghai and others. Is it normal for this situation to be handed down from generation to generation without words? This paper is unable to solve many eternal mysteries, and just wants to do some useful research, which can be regarded as attracting jade.

Different from other Japanese monks, the situation of immortals before the Tang Dynasty was recorded in detail from birth to growth. About the story of Japanese spirit fairy, in "Riding a key? There is a slight mention in the volume. As this is the only historical data, it is quoted as follows (for the original text, see Da Zhengzang? 74》):

? If you say that Farr has no seeds, you have nothing to say. What is the cloud observing the scripture carefully? The fourth volume. Buddha said that writing is based on three good roots and beliefs. Plant leakage-free Farr seeds. Can play the role of Buddha without leakage and samadhi. Answer. He was accepted by the wizard through the pen. Ben lives in Xiaofu Temple. Learn from Faxiangzong and learn from him. Polish the scripture. Acting on one's own initiative is like refusing to take it. If Sanskrit is like this. Teacher Tianzhu. You're right. Protector. Why not quote it? Or it's as real as a seed, and its name is Farr. ?

"One Ride Essentials" is an article on Buddhist teachings written by source believers and monks in the form of questions and answers. Farr, no leakage, no seeds, no words? This Buddhist problem is discussed with the example of Lingxian. It is said that Ling Xian often revises the scriptures when studying Fa Xiangzong, which he thinks is correct. In fact, it turns blue into yellow. If the scripture is what the spirit fairy thinks, then which sentence of the seal master is not wrong? Obviously, the monk, the Master of the Center of the Circle, is critical of the practice of the Master of Lingxian, but negative of Lingxian. What is the basis of its negation? Call yourself innocent? 、? What if green is yellow? . If we look at this historical material in turn, it is not difficult to find that Master Lingxian is indeed a man from a great talent to a great talent. To find problems and correct them when reading Buddhist scriptures, you must have great wisdom, that is to say, a fairy should have the following qualities: familiar with scriptures, proficient in Chinese and proficient in Sanskrit. Facts have proved that Ling Xian, who entered the Tang Dynasty, participated in the translation of ancient books in the Tang Dynasty. He does have these qualities that others don't have, and perhaps because of this, people with high talents will inevitably become arrogant and attract criticism and even jealousy from others. It is also reasonable.

Through the above historical data, we can roughly understand three problems: first, Lingxian is a monk in Xiaofu Temple in Nara; Second, before entering the Tang Dynasty, the immortals studied the law like a Sect; Thirdly, Ling Xian is a talented person, which laid the foundation for him to become the only foreign monk who participated in the translation of scriptures in the Tang Dynasty.

When did the immortal enter the Tang Dynasty? In twenty-two years, he sent monks to study in Tang Dynasty. ? Then guess:? The Tang people feared that the calendar would be extended for 23 years, which coincided with preaching the empty sea. ? This is the only historical data about the immortal Tang Dynasty. But according to Takehiko Kumgong's research:? On April 16th, in the 22nd year of Li Yan (803), the envoy sent by Wu Huan Dynasty to Tang Dynasty set out from Nanbojin. Soon after, the ship was damaged by the storm, and many people below the head of Fengcun village were drowned. After the ship was repaired, it sailed from Pu Tian, Songpu County, Feiqian on July 6th of the following year and was caught in a storm. Ambassador Fujiwara Gemalu's first ship drifted at sea for 34 days and arrived in Changxi County, Fuzhou on August 10. The second ship from Ishikawa Yi Dao arrived in Mingzhou. The third ship set off from Piliang Island in Songpu County on July 4th, and suddenly drifted due to the south wind. Three judges went ashore and some archers were on board. I don't know where it drifted, maybe it hasn't reached the Tang Dynasty yet. Whether the fourth ship reached the Tang Dynasty is unknown. In August of the first year of Datong (806), Judge Gao Yuancheng returned to China in the same boat as others. ? According to the comparison between historical records and the textual research of Jin Gong Wu Yan, Lingxian was indeed sent to study as a monk in the Tang Dynasty in the 22nd year of Li Yan, and the departure time was indeed in the 22nd year of Li Yan, but the ship was damaged by a storm on the way back to Japan. It was twenty-three years (804) after the ship was repaired in Japan. As for the ship that Lingxian took, it is unknown. It should be on the first or second ship. In the Tang Dynasty, when navigation technology was extremely underdeveloped, it was impossible for Lingxian to go to the Tang Dynasty without accompanying envoys.

From the 23rd year of Li Yan to the first year of Hong Ren (8 10), immortals reappeared in historical records for six years, and their activities were unknown. Maybe Lingxian went straight to Chang 'an after landing with Konghai and others or with the most sincere people; Maybe Master Ling Xian didn't go with everyone, but traveled around alone and finally arrived in Chang 'an. Judging from the historical facts that Lingxian later completed the translation of classics in Chang 'an and went to Wutai Mountain to live by herself, the latter is very likely. This may be related to the master's learned and arrogant personality, which is incompatible with everyone and rejected by everyone. Otherwise, we can't explain that there is no written record of the activities of talents like the master in either Japan or China in the Tang Dynasty. Looking at the data of that era, we have a deep impression: it seems that Lingxian is an unknown and forgotten person. If the new sutra relic was not presented to the emperor by the spiritual immortal later, it would not be mentioned in the future diary. In fact, as a great figure, Lingxian aroused people's interest in modern times, which is also a very accidental thing. During the treasure investigation in 19 13, the Japanese Religious Affairs Bureau obtained the investigation of Shinlang's collection of scriptures in Shishan Temple in Jiangzhou and a fragment of Mahayana ancient documents. In the list of translated place names recorded in the first volume, the name of Lingxian was found. Based on this, his wife Naoki wrote his famous paper The Only Japanese Monk in Tang Dynasty, which was highly praised.

It is an indisputable fact that Ling Xian created the most brilliant achievements in his life in Chang 'an. According to "Three Monks' Journey in Lingxian County": In the fifth year of Yuanhe (the first year of Hong Ren, 8 10), on July 3rd, Mahayana observed the scriptures. On the 27th, I translated at Liquan Temple in Chang 'an. Prajna III Tibetan Sanskrit. Lingxian Pen is translated into English. In the same year six years (Hong Ren two years), translated into English on March 8th. ? It took nine months to complete the translation of Mahayana sutra. The translation work that Yuanhe started in five years does exist. There are two historical materials as evidence: First, the Biography of Monks in Song Dynasty, Volume III, The Biography of Prajna in Tang Liquan Temple: Interpretation of Prajna, Guest also. He looks burly, fuck * * integrity, in the capital. He is a enlightened Saman, a sage who worships Buddha and has a deep translation. However, he was related to the department of Shu, and Liu Pi blocked his life. There are many reasons why Wang Chengzong was not peaceful. In the five years of Zhiyuan and Gengyin, the assistant ministers of the Ministry of Industry, Gui Deng, Liu and others, translated eight volumes of Liquan Temple, and Brahma Clip was written by Gao Zongchao's Poetic Country. What happened to the emperor? I want to order. . Find the next article, the crown is at the head of the sutra, and Sanzang gives silk, which proves that there are differences between shamans. ? Tang Xianzong attached great importance to this matter and personally prefaced it, ranking first among the classics, and gave different rewards to all those who participated in the translation of classics according to their achievements. Second, "Old Tang Book"? Biography: 1 13 Meng Jianchuan:? Six years (yuan and six years). Together with Assistant Minister of Industry Liu Bozhou and Xiao Wei. He translated the original sutra of Mahayana in Liquan Buddhist Temple. Jane is the wisest. ? These two historical materials of China recorded the translation of Buddhist scriptures by Xian Zong in Yuan and Six Years, and involved some names of people who participated in the translation. Unfortunately, neither of them listed Master Ling's name. The only document that can prove that Master Lingxian participated in the translation of classics is the historical materials discovered in Shishan Temple in Jiangzhou in 19 13, which are listed as follows:

The first Austrian Mahayana Buddhist scripture (written in Shishan Temple) Yuan He went to the Vatican on July 3, 2005, was enshrined in Liquan Temple in Chang 'an on July 27, and was translated into Chinese on March 8, 2006.

Sanzang in the guest country gave the purple Samana Prajna to preach Sanskrit.

Japanese Shaman in Liquan Temple

Lingxian pen translation.

Shaman in Jingxing Temple

Mo Ling Runwen

Shaman in Liquan Temple

Less palindromes

Shaman in Ji Fa Temple

Zangying

Runwen

Shamen in Fushou Temple

Tsukiji

Hui language

Shaman of Bichi Temple

Great discrimination

Justifiable reasons; justify

The right street is full of activities, and the great German Zhuang Yan Temple Shaman is a little detailed.

All the activities have been translated. My yamen scattered military forces and envoys, Longzhou Sigong joined the army, and the state gave this minister the fee for fish bags.

Give the Prime Minister a right back, fill the gap, ride a cloud, attack Guo Xu and Prime Minister Xiao Wei, and give a detailed decision.

Dr. Yin Lu went to Shangshu Gongbu to serve Crown Prince Lang Chong, and the kings served the founding ministers of Changzhou County.

The court asked the doctor to keep the court, and Liu Bo, a court judge of the Royal College of Jixian Hall, made a detailed decision.

Ichiro Zhao defended the proposal, and the doctor told me that Meng Jian, the minister of fish bag fee in Shangzhou, gave a detailed decision.

Captain You Shence and the retinue of Right Street Merit Ambassador specialize in the work of General You Wuwei. Knowing that he served the province and the country in Shangzhu, they hired the fifth one to go straight.

The above is the full text of the translation field. Lingxian participated in the translation of classics as the author. This matter itself requires that Master Lingxian should be proficient not only in Buddhism, but also in Sanskrit and Chinese, and be able to accurately translate Sanskrit scriptures into Chinese scriptures. This is a great thing. As the only Japanese monk who participated in the translation of the classics of the Tang Dynasty, he was proud not only of himself, but also of the Japanese.

Lingxian went to Wutai Mountain after finishing the translation work in Chang 'an. It is unknown when she will go to Wutai Mountain. However, according to historical records, Lingxian completed his trip to Wutai Mountain in the fifteenth year of Yuanhe (820). Ren Yuan's Notes on the Exploration of the Tang Dynasty contained 3 19:? People stopped at ordinary hospitals to worship the Manjusri Bodhisattva statue. Because of the cloud on the wall of Xiting? In Japan, in the past fifteen years, the great gods of Lan Ruo, Xian Yuan and He? Yun Yun. The monks in the yard were surprised to see the Japanese monks coming, so they showed them the questions on the wall and remembered them. ? Judging from this account of Ren Yuan, the inscription on Xibiting Pavilion should be written by Ling Xian. After completing the tour, Lingxian lived in the solid bodhisattva courtyard of Jinge Temple in Wutai Mountain. Three years later, she moved to Qijie Hospital and was admitted to Gubodhisattva Hospital. Lingxian actually peeled his hands one by one, four inches long and three inches wide, painted Buddha statues one by one, and built gold and copper towers to place them. It can be seen that Lingxian's personality and style of doing things are really different.

When Lingxian lived in Wutai Mountain, the Japanese emperor gave him gold twice. The first time was in the fifth year of Changqing (825). The immortal was Xie Guoen, who gave the emperor ten thousand relics and two new scriptures. The second time was in the third year of Tianchang (826), and both times were handed over by Su Zhen, a monk from Bohai Sea. Unfortunately, when Su Zhen brought gold to Jing Ling Temple for the second time (828), Lingxian was already dead. Long after death? . According to Ren Yuan's records, he was poisoned to death. At present, there are different opinions in academic circles. To return the historical truth, we need new historical materials to explore and study in depth. The estimated time of death is between 826 and 827.

The death of Master Lingxian is another eternal mystery left to future generations. In Japan, many people think that immortals were killed? Poisoning? Yes, it is mainly based on Ren Yuan's "Exploration of the Tang Dynasty". According to Ren Yuan's diary of July 3rd, the fifth year of his reign (840), there is a courtyard in the valley, seventeen miles from the top of the platform to the south. The house is dilapidated and uninhabited. It's called seven Buddhist temples. What is the topic of the hospital? Eight surpassed Lan Ruo. ? Japanese monk Ling Xian once lived here and died. Drive south for three miles to Jing Ling Temple in Dali. Ask old Su Sanzang where he died. Naiyun:? Sanzang, a fairy, was once in Lan Ruo, Qin Tie, and seven Buddhist temples. Later, this temple lived in the bathroom yard. He was killed by medicine and poisoned. Disciples and others buried the funeral, I don't know where. ? Yun Yun. ? This is the news about the death of the elves recorded by Ren Yuan according to hearsay. As mentioned above, if Ling Xian really died in Jing Ling Temple in Wutai Mountain, then according to Su Zhen's Preface to Crying Poems, his death time should be between 826 and 827. In July of the fifth year of Tang Kaicheng (AD 840), Ren Yuan visited Wutai Mountain and visited the burial place of Lingxian. According to the death date of Lingxian, it is only 13 years. 13 years later, the old monk of Jing Ling Temple actually told the place where the gods were buried? Where is the unknown? Four words, which can't help but make people doubt its authenticity. ? A foreign monk was poisoned in the bathroom yard of this temple, but the old monk knew nothing about the place where the bones were buried, and neither emotion nor reason could understand it. The earliest written record about the death of Lingxian is not Ren Yuan's Seeking the Dharma in the Tang Dynasty, but Su Zhen, who has a deep friendship with Lingxian, wrote it on a board and nailed it to the wall of Jing Ling Temple. Su Zhen arrived at Lingxian Temple on April 7th in the second year of Taihe (828), and wrote "Mourning Poems and Preface" here on April14th. Because Su Zhen arrived at Jing Ling Temple only a year or two before Lingxian died. Actually, Jeong Su was only used in Crying in Parallel Order? Long after death? This extremely vague word has been ignored. Why is this? Jeong-soo seems to do the same to fairies? Is it confidential? . We don't know whether there is a political factor in this. However, judging from the unusual thing that Lingxian stripped himself of his hands and left it to future generations, Lingxian probably didn't die. He may be tired of secular life, in order to concentrate on practice and not be disturbed by the secular world. A man went to an unknown place in the deep forest to practice, and people declared him dead. From the point of view that Master Lingxian reads widely and is not respected, it is possible. This is just my guess.

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To sum up, Master Lingxian is the only Japanese monk who participated in the Chinese translation of Buddhist scriptures, made outstanding contributions to the spread of Buddhist culture, and occupied an important position in the history of Buddhist exchanges between China and Japan. However, he also left many mysteries for future generations. To restore the true colors of history, we need to discover new historical materials, and we are looking forward to this day.