Baoyun

寶雲

Baoyun 寶雲 (376?–449) was from Liangzhou. He traveled to Central Asia, Khotan (Hotan), and India around 397. There he met Faxian and other Chinese pilgrims. In India he studied languages, then returned to Chang’an and became a follower of Buddhabhadra (359–429). Buddhabhadra was in Chang’an from 406–408. Baoyun then followed Buddhabhadra south to Mount Lu, and ultimately to Jiankang (Nanjing). His good friend Huiguan accompanied Baoyun throughout the entire journey. All three men stayed at Daochang Temple in Jiankang. Baoyun later moved to Liuheshan Temple, outside of Jiankang. It was at these two temples that he made his translations [of the Buddhacarita], reading the Indian text and translating orally. In this way the Buddhacarita was rendered in 421 C.E. (Yongchu 2 of the Liu Song), at Liuheshan Temple. (Willemen, Buddhacarita: In Praise of Buddha's Acts, translator's introduction, xiv–xv). In addition to the Buddhacarita Baoyun is recorded as having assisted in the translation of several sūtras, including the Akṣayamatinirdeśasūtra and the Sāgaramatiparipṛcchāsūtra.

Also known as

Pao-yün