Fo suo xing zan 佛所行讚

Fo suo xing zan 佛所行讚 (also written 佛所行贊), also called Fo benxing jing 佛本行經, Fo suo xing zan jingzhuan 佛所行贊經傳, Fo suo xing zanjing 佛所行贊經, Fo benxing zanjing 佛本行贊經 or Fo suo xing zanzhuan 佛所行贊傳, is a canonical script of Chinese Buddhism.

The original, the Buddhacarita, was once compiled in India by Aśvaghoṣa (Ch. Maming 馬鳴, 2nd cent. CE), and translated in the Northern Liang kingdom 北涼 (398-439/460) by Dharmakṣema (Ch. Tanwuchen 曇無讖, 385-433 or 439), with a length of 5 juan. Another, 7-juan translation was made by Baoyun 寶雲 during the Liu-Song period 劉宋 (420-479). Fragmentary Sanskrit manuscripts have been preserved.

The book relates the life and deeds of Śākyamuni (Ch. Shijiamouni 釋迦牟尼), ingeniously expressing religious stories and doctrinal principles in poetic form. As such, it occupies an important position in the history of Indian literature. This scripture in poetic form (jiesong 偈頌) circulated widely in ancient times and exerted considerable influence. In the 7th century, the Chinese Buddhist monk Yijing 義淨 (635-713), who traveled extensively in India, remarked that throughout the Five Regions of India and the Southern Seas, "none do not recite the text", meaning that it was widely popular across India and along the coasts and islands of Southeast Asia. Yijing further praised the work for its clarity of meaning and economy of words, noting that it conveys profound doctrine with few characters, delights readers without tiring them, and enables those who study and uphold the sacred teachings to generate merit and blessings.

The text was first published in 1893, with an English translation. Müller, F. Max. 1894. The Sacred Books of the East, Translated by Various Oriental Scholars. Vol. XLIX. "The Buddha-Karita of Asvaghosha", vol. 1, 1-202. Translated by E.B. Cowell. Oxford: Clarendon.