The Annotations and Commentaries on the Lotus Sutra

Author: Jing Sanlong
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2000-10-01
Features: The translator of the Diamond Sutra was Fusaduo, whose name was translated as Juejiu, meaning "awakening to save the world." The Biographies of Eminent Monks records that he was from northern India (Gaochang) and had a northern Indian surname. As his life and dates of birth and death are unknown, although he is said to have lived during the Tang Dynasty, there are various differing opinions on the timing of the translation of this scripture. The most notable account is found in Volume 39 of the Comprehensive Chronicle of the Buddha and Patriarchs, which states that Fusaduo translated the Diamond Sutra at White Horse Temple during the sixth year of the Yonghui era of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. Another account in this text claims that Fusaduo held the Sanskrit manuscript and translated two volumes of the Diamond Sutra at White Horse Temple during the second year of the Shousheng era of Empress Wu Zetian, when she proclaimed the empire's name as Zhou.
The Chinese translation of the Diamond Sutra is unique, unlike other classics that have multiple versions. For example, since its translation until the time of Yijing, the Diamond Sutra has had six Chinese translations. In addition to the Tibetan translation, three Sanskrit versions have been preserved. Similarly, various versions of the Platform Sutra, a classic Buddhist text from China, also have numerous variants. As a result, this scripture has often been subject to skepticism. The entire text is exquisitely written and flows beautifully, with the translator's linguistic skill surpassing that of many other eminent monks who translated scriptures. During the Song and late Qing dynasties, doubts arose that the scripture was a "deliberate fabrication" by high monks in China, but it was ultimately concluded that "there was evidence, yet no solid proof." From an academic perspective, I believe that whether it is a "genuine scripture" or a spurious work, its exposition of Buddhist doctrine makes it a classic, thus holding significant research value.