Alopen
Monk of the Church of the East. The Xi’an Stele says he came to the Tang capital in 635 with sacred books; an edict of 638 licensed his teaching.
Alopen is known by the Chinese form of his name, Aluoben. The Xi’an Stele of 781 says that he came from Da Qin to Chang’an in 635 with sacred books, was received by the emperor Taizong, and saw his books translated in the imperial library (Xi’an Stele, Chinese text, on the year 635). The edict of 638 preserved in the Tang court’s records calls him a Persian monk and orders a monastery built for his teaching (Tang Huiyao 49, Da Qin monasteries).
The stele adds that the next emperor, Gaozong, confirmed the honours paid to him and gave him a title as guardian of the teaching for the realm (Xi’an Stele, Chinese text, reign of Gaozong). Neither text records his birth, his death or his life before China.
In the timeline
- AD 635, estimated dateThe Church of the East Reaches China
A monk named Aluoben (Alopen) brings Christian scriptures to the Tang capital Chang’an. In 638 the emperor Taizong licenses the teaching and has a monastery built. A stele of 781 tells the story.
Primary sources
The Xi’an Stele
- Xi’an Stele, Chinese text, on the year 635sourcebooks.fordham.edu
- Xi’an Stele, Chinese text, reign of Gaozongsourcebooks.fordham.edu