Text: T0026; 中阿含經; Madhyama-āgama

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• T0026; 中阿含經; Madhyama-āgama

External evidence suggests that both EĀ and MĀ were translated twice each, once by “Dharmanandi” [= Zhu Fonian --- SC] and once by Saṅghadeva. Mizuno reports that both the external records and the extant T26 align, and on that basis, confirms that T26 is the second translation of MĀ by Saṅghadeva. Mizuno then attempts to find vestiges of the "lost" second translation for each collection, and determine their relation with the extant, transmitted, intact full collections (see separate CBC@ entries).

Entry author: Sharon Chi

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• People: *Saṃghadeva, *Gautama Saṃghadeva, 僧迦提婆, 瞿曇僧伽提婆 (translator 譯)

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• T0026; 中阿含經; Madhyama-āgama

Tachibana Shundō 立花俊道 explains that there were two translations of the Madhyamāgama (MĀ) 中阿含經, one of which is lost.

The lost version is recorded in juan 巻 13 of CSZJJ 出三藏記集 as translated by Dhammandi 曇摩難堤 as part of the translation project of SĀ and MĀ from 384-391. Juan 3 of CSZJJ says that Dhammandi recited the original text and Zhu Fonian 竺佛念 translated it. GSZ 高僧傳 records that Dhammandi did not manage to complete the whole of MĀ. Little is known about the content of this text since it has been lost.

The extant version was translated by Saṅghadeva 僧伽提婆. He was supported by and worked together with Dao’an. However, since Dao’an died in 385 CE, the translated text remained unchecked. Saṅghadeva completed the process in 398. The biographies of Saṅghadeva in CSZJJ, GSZ and KYL 開元錄, and the preface to MĀ by Daoci 道慈 outline the translation process also as follows: Saṅgharakṣa 僧伽羅叉 (var. 衆護) recited the original text, Saṅghadeva translated it, with Daoci 道慈 acting as amanuensis, and the text was then hand-copied 書 by Li Bao 李寶 and Tang Hua 唐化 (or Kang Hua 康化). The entire process including proofreading and circulating was completed in as late as 401 CE, due to the social instability caused by war.

Although there are hardly any substantial issues or disagreements regarding the facts in the translation process of MĀ, Tachibana argues that it is not completely accurate to list Saṅghadeva as the translator, as most catalogues do. In the translation process of the text, Saṅgharakṣa dealt with the Sanskrit text and Saṅghadeva translated it. This being so, according to Tachibana, Saṅgharakṣa should be ascribed the role of chief translator 譯主 or "text-holder" 執本, while Saṅghadeva’s role should be described as "translator"/"interpreter" 譯語, 傳語. Thus, it is Saṅgharakṣa who should be recorded as the translator. Tachibana speculates that the reason that Saṅghadeva was named as "translator" was that Saṅghadeva was well-known through a detailed biography, while Saṅgharakṣa was not, and thus Saṅghadeva alone was considered important due to the amount of information available.

Entry author: Atsushi Iseki

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• People: *Saṃghadeva, *Gautama Saṃghadeva, 僧迦提婆, 瞿曇僧伽提婆 (translator 譯); Saṅgharakṣa, 僧伽羅叉, 衆護 (translator 譯)
• Date: 401