Translation and Interpretation of Buddhist and Christian Scriptures: Past and Present

Wuhan University

Wuhan, P.R. China

July 16-17, 2019 

Conference Program

Theme

In the process of introducing Buddhism and Christianity into China and of sinicizing the two religious believes, the effort of translation and interpretation of their scriptures has been an essential task. This is because the work of translation and interpretation of scriptures is not only a communication and transformation among different languages, but also a profound cultural dialogue and integration.

Since the Han and the Tang dynasties, China began translating and interpreting Buddhist and Christian scriptures. Different eras and different dynasties had different socio-political realities and cultural and historical characteristics.

The work of translation of Buddhist scriptures began in the Han dynasty (221-206 BC) and entered its mature period in the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). The classic Buddhist translators represented by Xuan Zang not only developed translation systems and theories in translation practice, but also left numerous translated texts that have been preserved and passed on to the present.

Christianity was introduced to China in the Tang dynasty for the first time. Right after the Chinese began translating the Christian scriptures into Chinese. They used various scripts coming from Central Asia and borrowed many terms from the Chinese Buddhist scriptures. Because of the use of the Buddhist terms the Chinese misunderstood the early Christianity as "a Buddhist sect" at that time.

This conference will attempt (1) to study the historical context, (2) to examine the development of translation rules and standards, (3) to look into the origin of these classics, and (4) to explore theologies of sinicization of these two religions in different eras.

The topics of this meeting are concerned as follows:

1. The Chinese Translation of Early Buddhist Scriptures
2. The Chinese Translation of Nestorianism Classic Texts in the Tang Dynasty

3. Translation and Interpretation of Buddhist and Christian Scriptures in such dynasties as Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing
4. Relations between Translation of Classical Texts and Communication (Dialogue) of Religions
5. Sinicization of Religions and Translation of Buddhist and Christian Scriptures

Abstract 

Please send 300 words and a brief CV to Dr. Huang Chao [hcdj2000@whu.edu.cn], Li Yi [philosophialee@yeah.net] and [cua-rvp@cua.edu] by March 20, 2019. Full papers sent by June 30, 2019 will be considered to be published by the RVP in its publication series "Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change." 

Logistics

There is no registration fees. Travel expenses will be covered by participants (or their institutions); the local organizer will provide accommodations during the conference. 

Contacts

Dr. Huang Chao and Li Yi

School of Philosophy

Wuhan University

Wuhan, P.R. China

hcdj2000@whu.edu.cn & philosophialee@yeah.net