This analysis of Xuanzang’s translations is based on "Hsüan-tsang's Translations and Works" published on Charles Muller's website, which Dan Lusthaus extracted from his own book on Yogācāra. Unfortunately Lusthaus’ list includes come inaccuracies.
- The idea that Xuanzang translated the Xīn jīng in 649 CE is a myth from a single uncorroborated source. I can show that the Xīn jīng was composed between 26 Dec 654 and 13 Mar 656 CE).
- The Vaj translation in 648 CE is very doubtful, especially as Lusthaus lists it as T 220 (see next). The claim is also from a single uncorroborated, the Yancong biography (T 2053), which is a religious hagiography and thus an unreliable source of historical facts.
- Lusthaus lists T220 as translated in 660 CE, but it was not completed until 663 (and is usually said to be the last text Xuanzang translated before he died).
* Liu, Shufen. (2022). "The Waning Years of the Eminent Monk Xuanzang and his Deification in China and Japan." In Chinese Buddhism and the Scholarship of Erik Zürcher. Edited by Jonathan A. Silk and Stefano Zacchetti, 255–289. Leiden: Brill. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004522152_010
Xuanzang translation output totalled 73 texts spread over 1331 scrolls (juàn 卷).* This gives us an average 18 scrolls per text. However, T220 in 600 scrolls skews this considerably: it accounts for almost half the total output over 19 years. If we look at the other 72 texts they average just 10 scrolls each (on it's own T220 almost doubles the average).
* On the juàn 卷 as a unit of measure see Zuo, Ya. 2022. "Counting Books by the Juan: Material and Conceptual Aspects of the Chinese Book." Asia Major, 3d ser. Vol. 35(1): 33-73.
This is thought to be about half of the texts he brought back from India. On Xuanzang's death, Emperor Gaozong withdrew funding and support for his translation program and disbanded his assistants.
Xuanzang translated an average of ~70 scrolls per year. However, again, this figure is heavily skewed by T220. If we recalculate up to 663, leaving out T220, then the average is ~40.6 scrolls per year. But the number of scrolls per year varied considerably. See figure 1. below.
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| Figure 1. |
Of 73 texts translated, 43 were 1 scroll. 19 were 10 or more juan. Above I noted the claim by Liu Shufen (2022) that Xuanzang's output dropped off precipitously after Gāozōng 高宗 (r. 15 July 649 – 27 December 683) became emperor. However, as far as I can this doesn't seem to be the case. He did have some lean years in 648, 652, and 654, but there doesn't seem to be a pattern.
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| Figure 2. |
The four largest texts were:
- T 1562 (80 scrolls) completed 653
- T 1579 (100 scrolls) completed 647
- T 1545 (200 scrolls) completed 656
- T 220 (600 scrolls) completed 663
In addition Xuanzang completed his travelogue (with the help of Bianji) and an exposition on the eight vijñānas (undated, no length specified).
- Dàtáng xīyù jì «大唐西域記» "Great T'ang Record of Western Regions" by Xuanzang 玄奘. T 2087 (12 juan).
- Bāshí guījǔ sòng «八識規矩頌» "Verses on the Structure of the Eight Consciousnesses" by Xuanzang 玄奘. (? Juan). Not included in Taishō.
Leaving aside T220, Xuanzang put a great deal more effort into śāstra texts (647 scrolls) than sutra texts (75 scrolls).
The only substantial sutra, other than Prajñāpāramitā, that Xuanzang translated was the Dà púsà zàng jīng «大菩薩藏經» (T 310) or Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra, which is a part of the Ratnakūṭa Sūtra. As far as I can see, he only translated Mahāyāna sutras, including 7 dhāraṇī texts.
~~Φ~~
Appendix: List of Works (includes compositions)
Year 645 (43 juan)
1. Dà púsà zàng jīng «大菩薩藏經» "Sutra of the Scriptural-Basket of the Great Bodhisattva". Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra. T 310 [sūtra 12 secs. 35-54] (20 juan).
2. Xiǎnyáng shèngjiào lùn song «顯揚聖教論頌» "Exposition of the ārya Teachings, Verse Treatise" by Asaṅga (*Prakaraṇāryavākā) T 1603 (1 juan).
3. Fódì jīng «佛地經» "Buddha-Stage Sutra" (Buddhabhūmi Sūtra). T 680 (1 juan).
4.Liùmén tuóluóní jīng «六門陀羅尼經» "Six Gates Dhāraṇī Sutra". Saṇmukhidhāranī. T 1360 (1 juan).
5.Xiǎnyáng shèngjiào lùn «顯揚聖教論» "Exposition of the Ārya Teachings" by Asaṅga. T 1602 (20 juan).
Year 646 (38 juan)
6. Dàchéng āpídámó zájí lùn «大乘阿毗達摩雜集論» "Mahāyāna Abhidharma Mixed-Collection Treatise." Abhidharmasamuccaya Vyākhyā by Sthiramati. T 1606 (16 juan).
7. Dàtáng xīyù jì «大唐西域記» "Great T'ang Record of Western Regions" by Xuanzang 玄奘. T 2087 (12 juan).
Year 647 (117)
8. Dàchéng wǔyùn lùn «大乘五蘊論» (1 juan) "Mahāyāna Treatise on the Five Skandhas". Paṅcaskandhaka Prakaraṇa by Vasubandhu. T 1612.
9. Shè dàchéng lùn wúxìng shì «攝大乘論無性釋» "Asvabhāva's commentary on the Mahāyānasaṅgraha" *Mahāyānasaṅgrahopani Bandhana by *Asvabhāva 無性. T 1598 (10 juan)
10. Yúqié shīdì lùn «瑜伽師地論» "Stages of Yoga Practice Treatise". Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra by Maitreya 彌勒. T 1579 (100 juan).
11. Jiě shēnmì jīng «解深密經» "Sutra Explaining the Deep Secret" Saṅdhinirmocana Sūtra. T 676 (5 juan)
12. Yin ming ju cheng-li lun «因明入正理論» "Introduction to Logic" Nyāyapraveśa by Śaṅkarasvāmin 商羯羅主. T 1630 (1 juan)
Year 648 (15)
13. Tiān qǐng wèn jīng «天請問經» "Questioning Devas Sutra". Devatā sūtra. T 593 (1 juan)
14. Shíjù yì lùn «十句義論» "Treatise on the Ten Padārthas". Vaiśeṣika Daśapadārtha śāstra by Maticandra 慧月. T 2138 (1 juan)
15. Wéishí sānshí lùn «唯識三十論» "Thirty Verses on Vijñaptimātra Treatise" *Triṃśikā Vijñaptimātra Śāstra by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1586 (1 juan).
16. Jīngāng bānruò jīng «金剛般若經» "Diamond Sutra". Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā. T 220. (1 juan) (NB T 220 translated much later see below).
17. Bǎifǎ míngmén lùn «百法明門論» "Lucid Introduction to the One Hundred Dharmas". Mahāyāna Śatadharmāprakāśamukha Śāstra by Vasubandhu 世.親T 1614 (1 juan).
18. Shè dàchéng lùn Shìqīn shì «攝大乘論世親釋» "Vasubandhu's commentary on the Mahāyānasaṅgraha". Mahāyānasaṅgrahabhāṣya by Vasubandhu (Shìqīn 世親). T 1597 (10 juan).
Year 649 (35)
19. Shè dàchéng lùn běn «攝大乘論本» "Encyclopedia of Mahāyāna" Mahāyānasaṅgraha by Asaṅga 無著. T 1594 (3 juan).
20. Yuánqǐ shèngdào jīng «緣起聖道經» "Sutra of Ārya Teachings on Pratītya-samutpāda". Nidāna sūtra. T 714 (1 juan).
21. Shí shēnzú lùn «識身足論» "Awareness-body foundation treatise" Abhidharma Vijñānakāyapāda śāstra by Devakṣema 提婆設摩. T 1539 (16 juan)
22. Rúlái shìjiào shèngjūnwáng jīng «如來示教勝軍王經» "Sutra where Tathāgata Reveals Teachings to King Prasenajit." Rājavavādaka sūtra. T 515 (1 juan).
23. Shen hsi yu ching «甚希有經» "Sutra on Most Rarified Existence." *Adbhūta-dharma-paryāya sūtra. T 689 (1 juan).
24. Apocryphal date of Xīn jing.
25. Púsà jiè jiémó wén «菩薩戒羯磨文» "Elaboration of On Conferring Bodhisattva Vinaya" Maitreya 彌勒. T 1499 (1 juan) [Yogācārabhūmi extract]
26. Wángfǎ zhènglǐ jīng «王法正理經» "Sutra of Correct Principles of Royal Rule" by Maitreya 彌勒. T 1615 (1 juan). [sū or śā?]
27. Zuì wúbǐ jīng «最無比經» "Supreme Incomparable Sutra". T 691 (1 juan)
28. Púsà jiè běn «菩薩戒本» "On Conferring Bodhisattva Vinaya" *Bodhisattvaśīla sūtra (Bodhisattva Pratimokṣa) by Maitreya 彌勒. T 1501 (1 juan).
29. Dàchéng zhǎngzhēn lùn «大乘掌珍論» "Mahāyāna Jewel in the Palm Treatise" Karatalaratna.T 1578 (2 juan).
30. Fo ti ching lun 佛地經論 "Treatise on the Buddha-Stage Sutra" Buddhabhūmi-sūtra śāstra by Bandhuprabha 親光, et al. T 1530 (7 juan).
Year 650 (31)
31. Yīnmíng zhènglǐ mén lùn běn «因明正理門論本» "Gateway to Logic". Nyāyamukha by Dignāga 陳那. T 1628 (1 juan)
32. Chēngzàn jìngtǔ Fó shèshòu jīng «稱讚淨土佛攝受經» "Sutra In Praise of the Pure Land". (Smaller) Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra. T 367 (1 juan).
33. Yúqié shīdì lùn shì «瑜伽師地論釋» "Explanation of the Stages of Yoga Practice Treatise" Yogācārabhūmiśāstrakārikā. T 1580 (1 juan).
34. Fēnbié yuánqǐ chūshèng fǎmén jīng «分別緣起初勝法門經» "Sutra on The Primacy of the Dharma Gate Distinguishing Conditioned Arising". Vikalpapratītyasamutpāda Dharmottarapraveśa Sūtra. T 717. (2 juan)
35. Shuō wúgòuchēng jīng «說無垢稱經» "Sutra of the Teachings of Vimalakīrti" Vimalakīrtinirdeśa. T 476 (6 juan).
36. Yàoshī (liúlíguāng rúlái) běnyuàn gōngdé jīng «藥師（流璃光如來）本願功德經» The Meritorious Original Vow of the Medicine Master [Lapis Lazuli Radiance Tathāgata] Sutra." Bhaiṣajyaguruvaiḍūryaprabhāsapūrvapraṇidhānaviśeṣavistara. T 450 (1 juan).
37. Dàchéng guǎngbǎi lùn běn «大乘廣百論本» "Mahāyāna-Vaipulya One Hundred Treatise" *Catuḥśataka by Āryadeva 聖天. T 1570 (1 juan)
38. Dàchéng guǎngbǎi lùn shì lùn «大乘廣百論釋論» "Commentary on the Mahāyāna-Vaipulya One Hundred Treatise". By Dharmapāla 護法T 1571 (10 juan)
39. Běnshì jīng «本事經» "Original Events". Itivṛttaka sūtra. T 765 (7 juan).
40. Zhūfó xīn tuóluóní jīng «諸佛心陀羅尼經» "Sutra of the Dhāranī of the Heart of the Buddhas" Buddha-hṛdaya-dhāranī. T 918 (1 juan)
Year 651 (83)
41. Shòuchí qī fó mínghào (suǒ shēng) gōngdé jīng «受持七佛名號（所生）功德經» "Receiving Merit [produced by] the Seven Amitābha Buddhas)." T 436 (1 juan)
42. Dàchéng dàjí dìzàng shílún jīng «大乘大集地藏十輪經» "Ten Cakras of Kṣitigarbha, Mahāyāna Great Collection Sutra." Daśacakrakṣitigarbha Sūtra. T 411 (10 juan).
43. Āpídámó zàng xiǎnzōng lùn «阿毘達磨藏顯宗論» "Revealing the Tenets of the Abhidharma Treasury." *Abhidharmasamayapradīpika or *Abhidharmakośaśāstrakārikāvibhāṣya by Saṅghabhadra 尊者眾賢. T 1563 (40 juan)
44. Āpídámó jùshè lùn «阿毘達磨俱舍論» "Treasury of Abhidharma" Abhidharmakośa-bhāṣya by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1558 (30 juan)
45. Āpídámó jùshè lùn běn sòng «阿毘達磨俱舍論本頌» "Treasury of Abhidharma." Abhidharmakośa by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1560 (1 juan).
46. Dàchéng chéngyè lùn «大乘成業論» "Mahāyāna Treatise Establishing Karma" Karmasiddhiprakaraṇa by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1609 (1 juan).
Year 652 (8)
47. Dàchéng āpídámó jí lùn «大乘阿毘達磨集論» "Mahāyāna Abhidharma Compendium" Abhidharmasamuccaya by Asaṅga 無著. T 1605 (7 juan)
48. Fó lín nièpán jì fǎzhù jīng «佛臨涅槃記法住經» "Sutra of the Abiding Dharma Recorded Just Prior to Buddha's Nirvana." T 390 (1 juan)
Year 653 (80)
49. Āpídámó shùnzhèng lǐ lùn «阿毘達磨順正理論» "Abhidharma According with Reason Treatise" Abhidharma-Nyāyānusāra śāstra by Saṅghabhadra (尊者)眾賢. T 1562 (80 juan).
Year 654 (7)
50. Dà āluóhàn Nántí Mìduōluó suǒ shuō fǎzhù jì «大阿羅漢難提蜜多羅所說法住記» "Nandimitra's Record of the Abiding Dharma Explained to the Great Arhats." Nandimitrāvadāna [Excerpt from the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra]. T 2030 (1 juan).
51. Chēngzàn Dàchéng gōngdé jīng «稱讚大乘功德經» "Sutra on the Merit of Extolling Mahāyāna." T 840 (1 juan).
52. Bájì kǔnàn tuóluóní jīng «拔濟苦難陀羅尼經» Sutra of the Dhāranī that Carries One Over Suffering and Adversity." T 1395 (1 juan).
53. Bā míng pǔmì tuóluóní jīng «八名普密陀羅尼經» "Sutra of the Dhāranī of the Universal and Esoteric Eight Names." T 1365 (1 juan).
54. Xiǎn wúbiān Fótǔ gōngdé jīng «顯無邊佛土功德經» "Sutra Revealing the Qualities of the Infinite Buddha-Lands." Tathāgatāṇaṃ Buddhakṣetra-guṇokta-dharma-paryāya. T 289 (1 juan).
55. Shèngchuáng bìyìn tuóluóní jīng «勝幢臂印陀羅尼經» "Sutra of the Dhāranī for Bearing the Banners and Seals." T 1363 (1 juan)
56. Chíshì tuóluóní jīng «持世陀羅尼經» "Sutra of the Dhāranī for Upholding the World." Vasudhāra-dhāranī. T 1162 (1 juan).
Year 655 (0)
no translations
Year 656 (201)
57. Shíyīmiàn shénzhòu xīn jīng «十一面神咒心經» "Sutra of the Divine Incantation of the Eleven-Headed" Avalokiteśvaraikādaśamukha-dhāranī. T 1071 (1 juan).
58. Āpídámó dà pípóshā lùn «阿毘達磨大毘婆沙論» "The Great Abhidharma Commentary" Mahāvibhāṣa. T 1545 (200 juan).
Year 657 (21)
59. Āpídámó fāzhì lùn «阿毘達磨發智論» "Treatise on the Arising of Wisdom through the Abhidharma" Jñānaprasthāna śāstra. T 1544 (20 juan).
60. Guān suǒyuán yuán lùn «觀所緣緣論» "Treatise Contemplating Objective Conditions." Ālambana parikṣa by Dignāga 陳那. T 1624 (1 juan)
Year 658 (2)
61. Rù āpídámó lùn «入阿毘達磨論» "Treatise on Entering Abhidharma." Abhidharmaāvatāraprakaraṇa by Skandhila 塞建陀羅. T 1554 (2 juan).
Year 659 (23)62. Bùkōng juànsuǒ shénzhòu xīn jīng «不空罥索神咒心經» "Essential Scripture of Amogha's Ensnaring Divine Mantra." Amoghapāśahṛdaya śāstra. T 1094 (1 juan)
63. Āpídámó fǎyùn zú lùn «阿毘達磨法薀足論» "Treatise on Dharmas and Skandhas according to the Abhidharma Path." Abhidharma Dharmaskandhapāda Śāstra by Mahāmāudgalyāyana (尊者)大目乾連. T 1537 (12 juan).
64. Chéng Wéishí lùn «成唯識論» "Treatise Establishing Vijñaptimātra." *Vijñapti-mātra-siddhi śāstra by Xuanzang. T 1585 (10 juan).
Year 660 (38)
65. Āpídámó pǐnlèi zú lùn «阿毘達磨品類足論» "Treatise of Classifications according to the Abhidharma Path" Abhidharmaprakaraṇapāda by Vasumitra (尊者)世友. T 1542 (18 juan).
66. Āpídámó jí yìmén zú lùn «阿毘達磨集異門足論» "Collection of Different Aspects of the Abhidharma Path Treatise" Abhidharmasaṅgītīparyāyapāda Śāstra. T 1536 (20 juan).
Year 661 (4)
67. Biàn zhōngbiān lùn sòng «辯中邊論頌» "Verse Treatise on Distinguishing Between Middle and Extremes." Madhyāntavibhāga Kārikā by Maitreya 彌勒. T 1601 (1 juan)
68. Biàn zhōngbiān lùn «辯中邊論» "Treatise on Distinguishing Between Middle and Extremes" Madhyāntavibhāgabhāṣya by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1600 (1 juan).
69. Wéishí èrshí lùn «唯識二十論» "Twenty Verses on Vijñaptimātra Treatise." Viṃśatikāvṛtti by Vasubandhu 世親. T 1590 (1 juan).
70. Yuánqǐ jīng «緣起經» "Sutra on Conditioned Arising." Pratītyasamutpāda-divibhaṅganirdeśa Sūtra. T 124 (1 juan).
Year 662 (1)
71. Yìbù zōnglún lùn «異部宗輪論» "Treatise of the Wheel of the Different Divisions of the Tenets" Samayabhedoparacanacakra by Vasumitra. T 2031 (1 juan) .
Year 663 (606)
72. Āpídámó jièshēn zú lùn «阿毘達磨界身足論» "Treatise on Body Elements According to the Abhidharma Path" Abhidharma Dhātukāyapāda Śāstra by Vasumitra (尊者)世友. T 1540 (3 juan).
73. Wǔshì pípóshā lùn «五事毘婆沙論» "Five Phenomena Vibhāṣa Treatise" Pañcavastukavibhāṣa by Dharmatrāta (尊者)法救. T 1555 (2 juan).
74. Jìzhào shénbiàn sānmódì jīng «寂照神變三摩地經» "Sutra on the Samādhi of Singularly Radiant Spiritual Alterations" Praśāntaviniścayaprātihāryasamādhi Sūtra. T 648 (1 juan)
75. Dà bānrě bōluómì duō jīng «大般若波羅蜜多經» Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra. T 220 (600 juan).
Year 664 (1)
76. Zhòuwǔshǒu jīng «咒五首經» "Mantra of Five Heads Sutra." T 1034 (1 juan).
Undated
77. Bāshí guījǔ sòng «八識規矩頌» "Verses on the Structure of the Eight Consciousnesses" by Xuanzang 玄奘. (? Juan)
~~o0o~~
