Later Han · Source text translated by 支婁迦讖
4,054 · about 14 min
The Sutra of Various Parables is a Buddhist scripture translated by the renowned translator Lokakṣema during the Eastern Han dynasty, belonging to one of the early Chinese-translated Buddhist canons. This sutra compiles stories of the Buddha’s teachings through parables, presenting vivid and accessible content that uses fables and analogies to elucidate core Buddhist doctrines such as karma, impermanence, and compassion. As an early Central Asian monk who came to China to translate scriptures, Lokakṣema’s translations played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism in China. This scripture is not only a precious document for studying the early development of Chinese Buddhism but also serves as a popular text for the general public to understand the wisdom of Buddhism, holding a unique position in Buddhist literature and doctrinal transmission.