Emperor Qianlong’s translation of the Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing 清文繙譯全藏經 (as well as his compilation of the Siku quanshu 四庫全書) was done after he was sixty. However, because scholars have not been aware of the descriptions found in Qing dynasty texts regarding this work, a Manchu-language Buddhist canon, and especially because the canon itself does not contain title pages (nor does its colophon, imprint, or table of contents mention a title), this canon has been given many different names by different scholars. The current article provides the correct title, based on a preface by Qianlong as well as on internal and external evidence found in the descriptions of contemporary texts. According to these sources, the proper title is Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing.
The Qing zijing guan 清字經館, belonging to the Imperial Household Department, was an institution formed expressly for the editing and publishing of the Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing. Scholars have incorrectly stated that the Qing zijing guan did not belong to the court, was formed on a temporary basis, or belonged to a military office. The current article discusses the Qing zijing guan and the staff responsible for the translation and plate-carving.
Based on the Qing gong dang’an 清宮檔案 held at the Zhongguo diyi lishi dang’an guan 中國第一歷史檔案館, the present article refutes theories that the translation of the Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing was begun in Qianlong 37 or 38, arguing that the correct year is Qianlong 36, during the first months of 1772. According to the colophon, the first section was completed and presented for the emperor’s approval on the 25th day of the 11th month of Qianlong 44 (Jan. 1, 1780). This marks the start of printing and binding. On the 1st day of the 2nd month of Qianlong 55 (March 16, 1790), Qianlong wrote a preface for the Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing, indicating that the translation of the collection was complete. The present article argues against the view that the printing of this collection was completed in 1790, proposing instead the 26th day of the 4th month of Qianlong 59 (May 24, 1794), based on another colophon which states that the printing and distribution of the Manchu-language canon was completed on that date.
Key words:
Qianlong era; Qingwen fanyi quan zangjing; Manchu Buddhist canon; Qing zijing guan; translation and publication