Abstract：Abstract: The source text of Timothy Richard’s English Translation of Miao Fa Lian Hua Jing has never been fully uncovered and is being erroneously ascribed to Kumārajīva’s Chinese edition. This research, based on historical evidence, discovers that the source text is a synopsis of K.S. Fukagawa’s Japanese translation. The synopsis is not only formed with some Richard’s additions to the source, but also with much incoherent and willful omissions of the source. Comparing the synopsis with Richard’s translation, it is found that his translation is further complicated with reference to the texts of both Fukagawa’s and Kumārajīva’s. In an attempt to eliminate the influence from the former English translation, he politically runs counter to Max Muller’s translation norms of Buddhism scripture by interchanging the concepts of Buddhism and Christianity. Richard’s translation, with appropriated ideas from Buddhism, reveals his endeavor to maintain Christianity’s status during the Victorian religious crisis in Europe.
Key words: Timothy Richard; Miao Fa Lian Hua Jing; English translation of Sutra; translation and politics
