Published: September 30, 2025
Article history: Updated on June 18, 2026
Abstract
The Translation Institute, also known as “Yi Chang” in ancient times, was an excellent school for the organized translation of Buddhist scriptures. It had a good division of labour and a strong organizational system. During the Eastern Jin and Sui Dynasties, the system of Buddhism had matured and developed; at the same time, translation methods were also laid down. The background and operating mode of the Translation Institute system will be presented in this paper to investigate how it has affected modern translation in the three areas of translation models, organizational management and talent cultivation. Also, it studies how current translation activities have inherited and altered the previous ones, finding continuity and change in the process. By linking the historical background with the current problems of theory and practice, this paper hopes to promote further thinking about the development of translation studies and provide new ideas for interdisciplinary research.
References
Anu, A., Wangmo, S., & Sangbo, D. (2025). The significance of famous ancient translation centres at home and abroad for contemporary China’s international communication: A case study of the Xuanzang, Samye, Baghdad and To-ledo translation centres. Journal of Tibet University (Social Sciences Edition), 40(2), 224-232.
Jiang, C. (2023). A study on the officialization of Buddhist scripture translation during the reign of Yao Xing of the Later Qin Dynasty. Minority Translators Journal, (6), 31-37.
Jiang, Y. (2011). The internal mechanism and practical significance of the ancient translation-centre system. Journal of Jiamusi Education Institute, (11), 233.
Liu, C. (2007). The development and influence of China’s ancient translation-centre system. Journal of Xiangfan University, (4), 51-57.
Ma, Z. (2004). A brief history of translation in China. China Translation & Publishing Corporation.
Peng, J. (2021). On Kumārajīva’s Buddhist translation and translation centre. Journal of Yangtze Normal University, 37(4), 66-73.
Wang, L., & Cheng, Q. (1998). The past and future of Chinese Buddhist translation centres. Dharma Sound Forum, (3), 12-13.
Xie, T., et al. (2009). A brief history of translation in China and the West. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Zhao, X., & Cao, S. (2025). Buddhist translation into Chinese and state governance: State translation practice in the Former and Later Qin periods. Journal of Qingdao Agricultural University (Social Sciences Edition), 37(1), 128-133.
How to cite this paper
Tradition and Innovation: A Study of the Translation Institute System from the Eastern Jin to the Sui Dynasty
How to cite this paper: Xin Wang. (2025). Tradition and Innovation: A Study of the Translation Institute System from the Eastern Jin to the Sui Dynasty. Translation and Foreign Language Learning, 1(2), 348-352.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.09.019