This tale was translated into Chinese during the Western Chin dynasty, after Buddhism's introduction to China; it was popularized during the Sui and Tang dynasties.
而從此以後的佛教徒們，也都在此日舉行功德法會，超渡自己父母的亡魂。佛教傳入中國以後，首先由西晉的竺法護把盂蘭盆經譯成中文。到了隋唐時代，為了傳教方便，和尚們把它編成七字一句的歌詞來演唱，就成了流傳民間「目蓮僧救母」的故事。