The First Translations of Buddhist Sūtras in Chinese Literature and Their Place in the Development of Storytelling
The First Translations of Buddhist Sūtras in Chinese Literature and Their Place in the Development of Storytelling

Author(s): Věnceslava Hrdličková
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies, Sociology of the arts, business, education
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: Buddhist sutra; Chinese translation; Chinese storytelling; narrative style; prosimetric form;
Summary/Abstract: This study explores the early translations of Buddhist sutras into Chinese literature and their significant role in the evolution of Chinese storytelling. It emphasizes the introduction of the prosimetric form, i.e., an alternation of prose and verse, into Chinese literature. The text is divided into two parts. Part one traces back the translations of Buddhist sutras into Chinese in two time periods: a) from the Han dynasty to the end of the Western Jin and b) from the Eastern Jin to the end of the Sui dynasty. It provides an overview of the early translators of Buddhist sutras and examines the challenges they faced and the methods they used. Among others, this part of the paper demonstrates how the prosimetric form was introduced and adapted and how the blending of Indian and Chinese literary traditions eventually led to a creation of a new narrative style. Part two investigates the manner in which sutras were recited. It points out how the originally simple and strict format of Buddhist sermons was enriched by national elements and unique storytelling techniques.

• Details
• Contents