Gunavarman

INDIA, Kashmir

Gunavarman was a monk, artist, and translator who was known to be well-versed in the Tripitaka. At the age of 30, he was summoned to ascend the throne when the King of Jibin (present day Kashmir) passed away. However, he decidedly declined the offer and subsequently traveled abroad to different countries, including Sri Lanka and Java, spreading the Dharma.
In 424 he went to Guangzhou where he practiced meditation on Hushishan and was reputed for his spiritual heights. On the north wall of Baoyue Hall at the temple where he participated in daily morning prayers, he painted Rahula and Youth Spreading Hair as Offering to Dipamkara Buddha. These depictions were said to glow with radiance every evening.
In 431 Gunavarman went to Jiankang (present day Nanjing, Jiangsu). There he was well-respected by Emperor Wen (reigned 424–453) of the Western Wei dynasty, who issued an edict for him to stay at Qihuan Temple to give lectures on the Lotus Sutra and commentary on the Dasabhumi Sutra. Furthermore, he immersed himself in the translation of several sutras including the Sutra of Bodhisattva Precepts, Dharmagupta Bhiksuni Karma, and Sutra of the Five Precepts for Upasakas.