Kumarajiva: The Greatest Propagator of Buddhism

Bodhivriksha

Ashok Mishra

Kumarajiva, who was born in Bihar, made a monumental contribution to the spread of Buddhism. Buddhist literature contains a wealth of information about him. A man of exceptional talent, Kumarajiva eventually went to study at Nalanda University. His insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to Taxila, where he not only pursued his education but also served as a teacher. 

It was during his time teaching at Taxila that he resolved to dedicate his innate, God-given talent to the propagation of the Buddhist faith. He immersed himself in the deep study of Buddhism and began spreading its teachings across the kingdoms and regions surrounding Taxila—a task that required him to master several Asian languages. 

Later, he decided to travel to China to propagate Buddhism. After an arduous and challenging journey, Kumarajiva arrived in China. He learned the Chinese language (Mandarin) and translated numerous Buddhist texts into Chinese. He would engage with the people, explaining the tenets of Buddhism and sharing the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha in their own language. 

Gradually, Buddhism began to take root and spread throughout China. In this endeavor, he secured the support of several influential figures and rulers. However, the path was far from easy; Kumarajiva often had to take significant risks. Even in China, he faced opposition from those who resisted the spread of Buddhism, yet he remained steadfast in his mission. Ultimately, he became the most prominent propagator of Buddhism in China, earning widespread acceptance among the people.