Pali or Sanskrit

BaileyD · March 2009

I've been thinking of getting a tattoo. The word "balance" and maybe the Three Jewels. I was wondering what language would be appropriate. Pali, Sanskrit, English, etc? I only read english but sanksrit is more visually pleasing. Just looking for some input. Thanks.

federica · March 2009

I'd go fo Pali.
It's traditionally the original language of Buddhists texts.

But that's just my opinion.

Welcome to the House, by the way!!

BaileyD · March 2009

I would be up for some Pali. Does anyone know where to get a translation so I could see what it looks like?

federica · March 2009

I'm sure Elohim would be able to help you there.
You could PM him (bring his attention to this thread). Not only is he an extremely experienced student of Pali, but he also has tattoos.....

Try that.....

Good Luck.

BaileyD · March 2009

I've actually decided on sanskrit since I lean more toward Mahayana. [FONT=&quot]
balance = संतुलन[/FONT]

Jason · March 2009

BaileyD,

Two things:

1. Pali itself does not have its own script as it was originally a spoken language. The teachings themselves were passed down orally for hundreds of years before they were written down phonetically in various Indian scripts such as Brahmi, Devanagari, etc. Today, the Pali texts have been transliterated in many different languages, and if you wanted to get something in Pali, you would first have to decide what script you wanted it written in.

2. I am sorry, but I do not know the Pali word for "balance." Dhammanando Bhikkhu at dhammawheel.com would know, though, if you want to ask him. He could also probably give you the Thai script for it as well.

Jason

BaileyD · March 2009

So, this is what I ended up getting. I'm very pleased. I'm already planning something for the other arm.
tattoo.jpg

Brigid · March 2009

That is just beautiful and says it all really, doesn't it? Good choice imho, BaileyD!

federica · March 2009

OH that's very nice!!

Was it painful?
Won't you regret it when you get old?
What will the neighbours say?
Is it real?

(Just kidding.... some of the the kinds of questions you might get..... I did, after a couple of mine....!!)

Palzang · March 2009

Well, the problem I see is finding something to balance "balance" on the other arm! Sorry...

Palzang

BaileyD · March 2009

I was actually thinking of "middle path" on the other arm. Similar but not the same word in a different language. I like the idea of having a couple of reminders always in my peripheral vision.:)

gils2090 · May 2009

hey im goin for my first tattoo and i was thinking of the buddhas quote

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell."

in sanskrit or pali but i dont no where i can translate it...

if someone can help me that would be greatly appreciated.

regards tom

ps if u could email it to me at gils2090@Hotmail.com

that would help so much ..

Vangelis · June 2009

Hi Tom,

I notice this is your first post. Welcome. I just saw this post and I might be able to help you. This sounds similar to the Dhammapada verse 103:

"Though he may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself".

I have the Dhammapada in pdf format rendered in Pali in the Devanagari script. This is what I used to get the quotes for my tattoo (see here). I used The Dhammapada verses 277-279, the first line from each verse being the 3 marks of all existence.

So I'll email you the copy of the Dhammapada I have and see how you go. If you have trouble identifying which verse you need, let me know and I'll see if I can help.

Kind Regards,

Vangelis

Fenyletylamin · October 2009

Hi! i just saw your post when i was looking for the dhammapada in pali(?) at google. i would LOOVE to have it from you. Would you please send it to me? I'm getting a tattoo as well, probably verse 174. I have seriously been looking for three days now, i can't believe i havent found it yet. all there is are theese more modern symbols which is more like letters, you know? Either way - I would be vey grateful if you'd send it to my mail - lynn_m_danneman@hotmail.com

By the way, since i'm getting a pali tattoo, i might as well ask you about Pali in different types of scripts(?) What does that mean? I mean - pali is pali, isnt it? It sounds weird that you can write pali -which is a language? - in OTHER languages,.. haha whatever i just don't get it.

THANKYOU!

Vangelis wrote: »

Hi Tom,

I notice this is your first post. Welcome. I just saw this post and I might be able to help you. This sounds similar to the Dhammapada verse 103:

"Though he may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself".

I have the Dhammapada in pdf format rendered in Pali in the Devanagari script. This is what I used to get the quotes for my tattoo (see here). I used The Dhammapada verses 277-279, the first line from each verse being the 3 marks of all existence.

So I'll email you the copy of the Dhammapada I have and see how you go. If you have trouble identifying which verse you need, let me know and I'll see if I can help.

Kind Regards,

Vangelis

sambodhi · October 2009

gils2090 wrote: »

hey im goin for my first tattoo and i was thinking of the buddhas quote

"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell."

in sanskrit or pali but i dont no where i can translate it...

if someone can help me that would be greatly appreciated.

regards tom

ps if u could email it to me at gils2090@Hotmail.com

that would help so much ..

That is incredibly long... You may reconsider that idea. It's not really going to "fit in" anywhere on your body.

Unless of course, you do it like this guy: Picture of half naked guy, don't open at work

federica · October 2009

what half-naked guy? All I get is a neon sign......:mad:

Brigid · October 2009

Yeah, the link just took me to a jpeg of a neon sign saying 'Go to ratemyink.com.' So I went. But there's a lot to wade through. So could you give me a hint? I wanna see the naked guy.

kenny · October 2009

I can see it and as it’s not showing anything inappropriate I will just post the picture, feel free to delete it fede if you feel the need.
<o></o>

BaileyD · March 2010

I'm resurrecting my old thread because it's time for another tattoo. This time it will be the word "impermanence" on my right forearm. Initially I wanted it in the same script as my left, but have since changed my mind. Now I am leaning more toward Tibetan, it's a beautiful language and I think would make a great tattoo. Wikipedia has impermanence written like this: <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style><o></o><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKnaveman%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style> མི་རྟག་པ་<o></o>

don't know if that's right or not and can't find a whole lot to corroborate. Anyone here fluent? Any help?

Also found this great pic for my next next tattoo.

alilyn89 · January 2011

Im thinking of getting a tattoo on my back of the quote from the Dhammapada.."All that we are arises with our thoughts" I want it going down my spine..id love to get it in the traditional Pali..does anyone know where I can find this in Pali script?
thanks

saran11 · February 2011

Hey !
I am thinking of getting a tattoo on my spine in sanskrit or pali
Can someone please email me the Dhammapada in pdf format?
Thanks !!
Sara

Cloud · February 2011

Tattoos on Buddhists is funny.

Vincenzi · February 2011

Tattoos on Buddhists is funny.

why? because they are permanent*?

*but not eternal, ha!

Cloud · February 2011

I think you understand me well enough.

BaileyD · April 2011

They're only as permanent as we are.

Vincenzi · April 2011

Im thinking of getting a tattoo on my back of the quote from the Dhammapada.."All that we are arises with our thoughts" I want it going down my spine..id love to get it in the traditional Pali..does anyone know where I can find this in Pali script?
thanks

you can try here:
http://www.tipitaka.org/deva/

33_3 · January 2015

I have one completed sleeve and am about finish the other sleeve. I began in 1995 with a Japanese dragon theme which gave way to personal meanings. I have a tattoo on my new sleeve representing my brother and his drumming. As Buddism is now the light of my life(helped me with the loss of my brother and so much more) the remander will be to Buddha.
I want to do original Sanskrit of text with various Buddahs or times in his life.
I know the thread is dated , but very helpful-Peace

federica · January 2015

Old thread. members no longer active. new thread recommended. Thanks.

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