Zhiqian

Zhiqian (支謙), also known as Lokakṣema, was a Buddhist monk and translator who lived during the Three Kingdoms period in China (late 2nd century to mid-3rd century CE). He was a Yuezhi, originally from Central Asia, and his family had moved to Luoyang, then the capital of the Eastern Han dynasty. He is renowned for his significant contributions to the early translation of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese.

Zhiqian was well-versed in multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Chinese, and possibly other Central Asian languages. He succeeded Lokakṣema (a slightly earlier translator, though some sources suggest they were contemporaries or even the same person, a point of scholarly debate) in translating important Mahayana sutras into Chinese. His translations are considered more refined and accessible compared to some of the earlier translations.

Among the texts attributed to Zhiqian are various sutras, including the Vimalakirti Sutra (維摩詰經), the Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra (無量壽經), and the Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra (小品般若經). While the exact authorship and attribution of some texts remain subjects of scholarly discussion, Zhiqian's influence on the development and spread of Buddhism in China is undeniable. His translations helped lay the foundation for the understanding and practice of Mahayana Buddhism in the region, and he is considered a key figure in the history of Chinese Buddhism. He is believed to have translated dozens of scriptures, many of which are still studied today.