In a Buddhist astrological text translated into Chinese by Amoghavajra 不空 in 759 (the Xiuyao Jing 宿曜經) there is the following remark added in the running commentary written in 764 by his disciple Yang Jingfeng 楊景風. It highlights the presence and influence of Indian astronomers in China during the middle of the imperial Tang dynasty (619-907). It reads as follows:
Interestingly, the bibliography of the Sui dynasty (581-618) chronicle, the Sui Shu 隋書, also lists three works on "Brahmin astronomy", which were probably in circulation around 600:
「景風曰凡欲知五星所在者。據天竺曆術。推知何宿具知也。今有迦葉氏瞿曇氏拘摩羅等三家天竺曆。並掌在太史閣。然今之用。多用瞿曇氏曆與大術相參供奉耳。」
Yang Jingfeng states, “Those wanting to know the positions of the five planets can predict what constellation they will be in based on the Indian calenderical methods. Now there are the three houses of Indian calendar experts including the Kāśyapa, Gautama and Kumāra, who are all employed at the Bureau of Astronomy [in the Chinese capital]. However, as to what is now in use, it is mostly the Gautama calendar and their 'Great Art' which are together used for state purposes.”
Interestingly, the bibliography of the Sui dynasty (581-618) chronicle, the Sui Shu 隋書, also lists three works on "Brahmin astronomy", which were probably in circulation around 600:
隋書/卷34There are also "Brahmin" works on mathematics and medicine cited.
《婆羅門天文經》二十一卷婆羅門舍仙人所說
《婆羅門竭伽仙人天文說》三十卷
《婆羅門天文》一卷
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