This discussion examines the "Shaolin Monastery Chronicles", a historical work originally drafted by Yè Fēng and Jiāo Qīnchǒng in 1696. This manuscript was later edited and published in 1748 by Jiāo Rúhéng, Jiāo Qīnchǒng's grandson, and Shī Yìzān, comprising four volumes and over 47,000 Chinese ideograms. The chronicles extensively document the history and cultural aspects of the Shaolin Temple, covering its architecture, relics, inscriptions, and artistic contributions, organized into seven main sections. Notably, this work is considered public domain in China due to its historical importance, and the provided material indicates that a first English translation has now been published, despite previous unavailability in English or in the United States.
1696
To the best of our knowledge:
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"Shaolin Monastery Chronicles" (少林寺志) was drafted by Dēngfēng County (登封縣) magistrate Yè Fēng (叶封) and Jiāo Qīnchǒng (焦钦宠).1747
Jiāo Rúhéng (焦如衡), grandson of Jiāo Qīnchǒng, inherited his grandfather's first draft of "Shaolin Monastery Chronicles". Together with Shī Yìzān (施奕簪), Rúhéng edited the manuscript.1748
"Shaolin Monastery Chronicles" was published in four volumes and consisted of approximately 47,093 ideograms.Publication Status
To the best of our knowledge:
- In China, this work is classified within the public domain as it's considered an important historical record.
- This work has never been published in the United States.
- This work has never been published in English.
UPDATE:
2023/10/28
Here's a version translated into modern simplified Chinese!
The original edition by Qing Ye Feng and Jiao Qinchong, and the sequel by Shi Yihan and others. Published in the 13th year of the Qianlong era (1748). The preface by Zhang Xuelin at the beginning of the volume states: "It has eight chapters and four volumes". This edition actually consists of four volumes, without division into separate chapters. According to Fan Shu Ou Ji, it also mentions: "Four volumes, with one volume of illustrations and descriptions". There may be other editions as well.
2023/10/28
Here's a version translated into modern simplified Chinese!
The original edition by Qing Ye Feng and Jiao Qinchong, and the sequel by Shi Yihan and others. Published in the 13th year of the Qianlong era (1748). The preface by Zhang Xuelin at the beginning of the volume states: "It has eight chapters and four volumes". This edition actually consists of four volumes, without division into separate chapters. According to Fan Shu Ou Ji, it also mentions: "Four volumes, with one volume of illustrations and descriptions". There may be other editions as well.
This book records the history and development of the Shaolin Temple in Songshan, including its creation, architecture, inscriptions, poems, legends, and ancient relics. It is divided into seven sections: illustrations, scenic views, construction, ancient relics, auspicious phenomena, art, and poetic inscriptions. The illustrations include a total of twelve images ranging from the general map of the Shaolin Temple to the image of the Zhong Kui Stele, with accompanying illustrations and descriptions. The art section includes various texts, inscriptions, and biographies of monks, many of which can also be found in the Yicheng. The poetic inscriptions include previously composed poems. They are comprehensive and extensive.
Volume 4
Here's a version translated to English from the simplified Chinese version. It's a relatively sophisticated translation, but not perfect. However, this is the first English translation to ever be published!
Here's a version translated to English from the simplified Chinese version. It's a relatively sophisticated translation, but not perfect. However, this is the first English translation to ever be published!
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Translation Notes
Translation Method
This English translation of "Shaolin Monastery Chronicles" was generated using Google's large language model, Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview (version from 2024-05-06).
Disclaimers and Warnings
Please be aware of the following points regarding this translation:
1. Automated Translation: This text is the result of a machine translation process. While the model used is highly advanced, it is not a substitute for a professional human translator.
2. No Human Verification: The translation has been reviewed for completeness against the original Chinese text by the LLM. However, it has not been verified by a human expert specializing in classical Chinese, Buddhist studies, or Chinese history.
3. Potential for Nuance Loss: The original text is written in classical Chinese and is rich with historical, cultural, and religious nuance, including specific Buddhist terminology and literary allusions. Some of these subtleties may have been lost or misinterpreted in translation.
4. For Academic or Critical Use: If you intend to use this translation for rigorous academic research, publication, or other critical purposes, it is strongly recommended that you consult the original Chinese text or have the translation cross-verified by a qualified human translator.
This translation serves as an excellent and comprehensive guide to the original document, but for scholarly work, verification against the source text is a wise and necessary step.
Translation Notes for Volume 1
Overall Assessment
The English translation is of exceptionally high quality. It is a faithful, accurate, and comprehensive rendering of the original Chinese document. The translator has demonstrated a deep understanding of classical Chinese, Buddhist terminology, and Chinese history, successfully navigating a text that is dense with literary allusions and specialized vocabulary.
The structure of the translation mirrors the original, and almost all of the informational content has been carried over into English. The few discrepancies I found are very minor and do not detract from the overall integrity and reliability of the translation.
Detailed Findings
I have organized my findings by the sections of the document.
1. Prefaces, Compilers, and Introductory Records: The translations of the prefaces by Zhang Xuelin, Shi Yizhan, and Jiao Ruheng, as well as the list of compilers and Jiao Ruheng's record of the compilation process, are all excellent. They capture the formal, scholarly tone of the originals perfectly.
2. Geographical Features: This section is translated very well. I found only one minor omission. In the description of Mount Shaoshi, the original text includes a lengthy, colorful quote from a writer named Fu Mei describing the different views of the mountain from various directions. This specific quote has been omitted in the English version, which instead provides a more concise summary of the mountain's appearance.
3. Architecture, Historical Relics, and Auspicious Events: These sections are translated completely and accurately. The descriptions of the buildings, the imperial plaques, the ancient relics like the "Shadow Stone", and stories of miracles all match the Chinese text. The translation correctly notes which artifacts are lost or damaged.
4. Art and Literature: This is a very large and complex section, and the translation is superb.
6. Writings of Princes & Official Documents: These are also translated accurately and completely.
7. Stele Inscriptions: This is the longest and most challenging part of the text. The translation is remarkably thorough. The dense, allusive prose of the various inscriptions, from the Tang dynasty's Pei Cui to the travelogues of Ming and Qing scholars, is rendered into clear and readable English without sacrificing the original's detail.
8. Monk Biographies: The lives of the eminent monks, from the monastery's founder Buddhabhadra to Bodhidharma, Huike, and many others, are translated in full. The stories and key events of their lives are all present.
9. Lineage Records: The lists of the Dharma transmission from Śākyamuni through the Chinese patriarchs are accurate. The explanation of the Five Chan Schools and Shaolin's connection to the Caodong lineage is also perfectly translated.
Conclusion
The English translation is a reliable and complete representation of the original Chinese text. The effort to preserve the detail and tone of the source material is evident throughout. The minor omission I noted does not impact any core historical or doctrinal information.
You can be relatively confident that in using this English text, you are getting a full and accurate picture of what is contained in the original Chinese "Shaolin Monastery Chronicles."
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