汉唐佛经汉译时空分布考:以三部高僧传为例

A spatial-temporal analysis of sutra translation from the Han to the Tang Dynasties on the basis of three eminent monk biographies

本文依据梁代慧皎《高僧传》、唐代道宣《续高僧传》和宋代赞宁《宋高僧传》中的"译经篇",将汉唐期间佛经汉译活动分为初传、发展、繁荣、全盛四个阶段,从人文地理角度分析其动因,探究译者与译地时空关系分布规律。研究发现,译经地多集中在长安、洛阳、建业/建康/建邺等政治中心区,河西地区、广州等交通要道区,以及庐山、五台山等佛教圣地区,表现出极强的地理特征与文化特征。这是因为政治中心提供物质、地位和文化保障,交通要道带来出入汉地译经传法的便利,以及佛教圣地吸引高僧振锡译经。佛经汉译活动的分布受政治因素、地理因素及文化因素影响显著。

Based on data collected from the volumes concerning translation in the three Eminent Monk Biographies respectively by Huijiao of the Liang Dynasty, Daoxuan of the Tang Dynasty and Zanning of the Song Dynasty, this paper examines the distribution regularities of sutra translators from the Han to the Tang Dynasties and the spatial-temporal reasons behind. It’s found that translation activities centered around three kinds of regions: (1) political centers with ruling class supporting translation activities politically, economically and culturally, such as Chang’an, Luoyang, and Jianye/Jiankang;( 2) essential traffic areas through which monks travelled into or out of China, such as Hexi area and Guangzhou;and (3) religious centers of Buddhism like Luoyang, Mt. Lushan, and Wutai Mountain. This paper further explores the political, geographical, and(Buddhist) cultural influence on centers of sutra translation.