ABSTRACT
The first critic of Buddhist thought in China, Seng Rui 僧叡 became a monk at the age of eighteen. He studied under the master Saṃghabhadra 僧賢法師 (dates unknown, also known as 僧伽跋 陀羅) and later under the master Seng Lang 僧朗 (dates unknown). When he was twenty-four, he traveled extensively. He also served the master Dao An 道安, who specialized in editing and cataloguing Buddhist sutras from the time of the introduction of Buddhism into China. Seng Rui, on the other hand, specialized in exploring the philosophical and theoretical development of Buddhism in China. When Kumārajīva 鳩摩羅什 came to China and began to translate Buddhist sutras into Chinese, Seng Rui became one of his chief assistants. He served as the Recorder and helped with the editing. Seng Rui also wrote the prefaces to most of Kumārajīva's translations. When the translaton of Satyasiddhi-śāstra 成實論 (A Treatise on Attainment) was complete, Kumārajīva asked Seng Rui to lecture on it. Seng Rui accomplished the task to the satisfaction of Kumārajīva, who commended him thus: “Rui is insightful and perceptive. Even without conferring with me, he would arrive at the same interpretation as I would.” Kumārajīva also said to Seng Rui, “In my translation and exposition of the Buddhist sutras, I am fortunate to have you to work with me. There is nothing more that I desire in life!” Seng Rui probably ranked the highest among Kumārajīva's disciples. He died at the age of sixty-seven.
