The Research On The Polysyllable Words Of One Hundred Buddhist Parables (百喻经)

One Hundred Buddhist Parables (百喻经) , with the full name of One HundredBuddhist Epigrammatic Parables, was extracted from twelve canons in Xiu Duo LuoZang(修多罗藏)by Jiasina(伽斯那), a monk in ancient India. Its short andepigrammatic style attracts many eyes of people. This. article is an elementary studyon polysyllable words.Books specialized in vocabulary of Chinese language history have not onlysynchronic description and analyses but diachronic and comparative study as well.This article focuses on polysyllable words in One Hundred Buddhist Parables fromtwo aspects: synchronic and diachronic.First, we have a short introduction of the work, its compiler, translator, edition,content and current study situations. Then, we have a complete study by means ofstatistics. In chapter two, three and four, we have a stationary description ofpolysyllable words in One Hundred Buddhist Parables as objectively as possible. Forexample, its number, frequency, components, structure, new words with their newmeanings and so on. As for the later two aspects, we have complete counts by meansof statistics. Through the conditions of polysyllable words, we can have a generalidea of the development of vocabulary in the South and North dynasties. We combinefixed quantity study with fixed quality study. In chapter five, after having a goodcommand of the polysyllable words system, we compare them with modern Chinese language with the purpose of finding out the law for the development of vocabulary atthat stage. Moreover, the description of new words and new meanings belongs tosynchronic study, but the criteria for them are decided mainly according to the timewhen they come about. Therefore, we also can think of this study as diachronic in away.