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Best Pali Translations

JoshuaJoshua Veteran
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I was doing some Tipitaka reading yesterday when I was faced with the question, if I were to be exessively methodical, whose translations (probably those to be found at Access to Insight) are preferable or at least, does anybody have any opinions about the pros and cons regarding certain translators.

I've cross-referenced a number of Dhammapada translations for instance of the first two verses, and because I've acquired skill enough in Pali to stumble through those first two verses comfortably, I've come to the conclusion (regarding those two verses at least) that Thanissaro is very loyal to the original Pali whereas other people embellish the English a bit to make it more coherent. I've found I don't prefer Thanissaro's translation of the Dhammapada. However, it's his translations of the Tipitaka I typically read. Any suggestions?

I know this is very obsessive compulsive, but bear with me here, I'm just very curious! ;)

Comments

  • shenpennangwashenpennangwa
    edited October 2010
    valois wrote: »
    I was doing some Tipitaka reading yesterday when I was faced with the question, if I were to be exessively methodical, whose translations (probably those to be found at Access to Insight) are preferable or at least, does anybody have any opinions about the pros and cons regarding certain translators.

    I've cross-referenced a number of Dhammapada translations for instance of the first two verses, and because I've acquired skill enough in Pali to stumble through those first two verses comfortably, I've come to the conclusion (regarding those two verses at least) that Thanissaro is very loyal to the original Pali whereas other people embellish the English a bit to make it more coherent. I've found I don't prefer Thanissaro's translation of the Dhammapada. However, it's his translations of the Tipitaka I typically read. Any suggestions?

    I know this is very obsessive compulsive, but bear with me here, I'm just very curious! ;)
    Personally, I prefer Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations.
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