Who is Kumarajiva?

Who is Kumarajiva?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight June 7, 2025 Duration: 19:49

Bright on Buddhism - Episode 115 - Who is Kumarajiva? What did he do in his life? How did that affect Buddhism in East Asia?

Resources: Chandra, Moti (1977), Trade and Trade Routes in Ancient India, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 9788170170556; Eitel, E.J.; Edkins, Joseph (1871), "Handbook for the Student of Chinese Buddhism", The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal, 3, FOOCHOW.: American Presbyterian Mission Press: 217; Greene, Eric Matthew (2012), Meditation, Repentance, and Visionary Experience in Early Medieval Chinese Buddhism (PhD dissertation), University of California, Berkeley; Kumar, Yukteshwar (2005), A History of Sino-Indian Relations, APH Publishing Corporation, ISBN 978-8176487986; Lu, Yang (2004), "Narrative and Historicity in the Buddhist Biographies of Early Medieval China: The Case of Kumārajīva", Asia Major, Third Series, 17 (2): 1–43; Nan, Huai-Chin (1998), Basic Buddhism: Exploring Buddhism and Zen, ISBN 978-1578630202; Nattier, Jan (1992), "The Heart Sutra: A Chinese Apocryphal Text?", Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, 15 (2): 153–223, archived from the original on 2013-10-29, retrieved 2013-10-23; Nattier, Jan (2005), A Few Good Men: The Bodhisattva Path according to The Inquiry of Ugra (Ugraparipṛcchā), University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 978-0824830038; Pollard, Elizabeth (2015), Worlds Together Worlds Apart, New York: W.W. Norton Company Inc, p. 287, ISBN 978-0-393-91847-2; Puri, B. N. (1987), Buddhism in Central Asia, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, ISBN 978-8120803725; Singh, Upinder (2009), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, Pearson Education India, ISBN 978-8131716779; Smith, David Howard (1971), Chinese Religions From 1000 B.C. to the Present Day, Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Wu, Ching-hsing (1938), "Some Notes on Kao Seng Chuan", T'ien Hsia Monthly, 7, Kelly and Walsh, ltd.; Zürcher, Erik (2007) The Buddhist Conquest of China: The Spread and Adaptation of Buddhism in Early Medieval China. BRILL.

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com.

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:47
Bright on Buddhism - Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 2 Part 1 Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 1 of DT Suzuki's translation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra! Resources: Lindtner, Christian (1992). The Lankavatarasutra in Early…
Buddhish 16 - The Matrix as Buddhist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:34
Bright on Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 16 - The Matrix as Buddhist Join us as we analyze the famous 1999 sci-fi movie The Matrix as containing Buddhist elements, allegories, and motifs. Do you have a question about Buddhi…
Do Buddhists reject the world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:10
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 95 - Do Buddhists reject the world? Do Buddhists believe that life is nothing but suffering? Are Buddhists fatalists or nihilists? Resources: Davis, Bret W. 2004. "Zen After Zarathustra: The…
How ought we understand sex in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:08
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 94 - How ought we understand sex in Buddhism? What is the meaning and significance of the doctrine prohibiting sexual indiscretion? How have understandings of this doctrine changed over time?…
Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:54
Bright on Buddhism - Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - Chapter 1 Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 1 of DT Suzuki's translation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra! Resources: Lindtner, Christian (1992). The Lankavatarasutra in Early Indian…
Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:25
Bright on Buddhism - Asian Religions Series - Daoism Part 1 Hello and welcome to the Asian religions series. In this series, we will be discussing religious traditions in Asia other than Buddhism. Buddhism never existed…
What is Risshō Kōsei Kai? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:32
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 93 - What is Risshō Kōsei Kai? What are its doctrinal roots? What are its historical origins? Resources: Anderson, Richard W. (1994). "Risshō Kōseikai and the Bodhisattva way: Religious ideal…
Kōan Series - Hyakujō and The Fox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:38
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 10 - Hyakujō and The Fox Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better understand them. We…
Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sutra - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:17
Bright on Buddhism - Longer Pure Land Sutra - Part 1 Join us as we read and discuss Part 1 of the Hisao Inagaki translation of the Longer Pure Land Sutra! Resources: Gomez, Luis, trans. (1996), The Land of Bliss: The Par…
What is suchness? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 92 - What is suchness? How ought we understand it? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Buswell; Lopez (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism; Robinson, Richard H…