Wen Zhao

This project will produce the first English translation of the “buddhistisches Yogalehrbuch” (YL), a ‘Buddhist Yoga Manual’ from Kuca, located on the Northern Silk Road of the Tarim Basin. Although the YL belongs to one of the major manuscript discoveries of the twentieth century, it has been almost entirely neglected, largely due to its having only received a translation into German. This is particularly lamentable as the YL outlines a unique meditation system that dramatically reshapes our understanding of Buddhist traditions in South, Central, and East Asia. Accounting for more recent research into associated Chinese meditation manuals and art from the region, our English rendering and comprehensive study shall reestablish the true significance of this forgotten work.