The fabulous destiny of Kumārajīva: a 5th century Buddhist monk, from Kucha to Xi’an.

Tuesday January 20, 2026, conference by Sylvie Hureau, Lecturer EPHE, CRCAO, Tuesday January 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM, at Maison de l’Asie, 22 avenue du président Wilson, 75016 PARIS.

Born in the kingdom of Kucha in the 4th century, the Buddhist monk Kumārajīva was educated in Buddhism in Kashmir and Central Asia, but he ended his life in Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an) as a war prize. There, he initiated not only translations that would be of paramount importance for the spread of Buddhism throughout East Asia, but also a rapprochement with secular authorities.