Like the author of the blog No-Sword I had only a vague notion of how the scriptures/sutras were translated into Chinese. Images of an ancient monk going steadily blind beavering away alone in a dimly lit cell. Far from it. There was for the Heart Sutra (Scripture of Great Wisdom) at least a whole team involved. At the very end of the process is the Text-Juicing Official! Here is the description of what that person did:
??? (“Text-Juicing Official”): Determined whether the translation was appropriate as Chinese text, and added rhetorical flourish as necessary. For example, the “character” (“he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty”) of “character” (“he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they were all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty”) was not in the original; it was added at this stage. The previous eight steps were performed by monks, but this step was performed by a lay official.
See Teamwork for the full description of the team.
Thanks to Walter for passing on the information and link. Keep those links coming please.
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “no” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
But what exactly does that mean, in practice? It’s a fair question.
For your interest, or not, in a CNN article there’s information about Jobs and his interest and practice of Zen Buddhism.
Rewilding. Yep, a new word for me but not for the world. It was first used back in 1990 apparently.
I’ve not been much involved with conservation issues however the word rewilding, mentioned on Country File this evening, has certainly captured my interest and imagination. And stimulated my memory too, of seeing bears in Alaska fishing salmon in boiling red abundance and off shore at Santa Cruz gazing at sea otters at dusk cracking open sea shells while floating on their backs. Both are keystone species and exceedingly cute too! That is the extent of my learning for this evening.
I really only meant to mention the baby hedgehog I saw abroad the other evening at twilight. A rare sight. One thought can lead to another can’t they….
(this post has been lightly edited having looked at it again in the clearer light of day!)
Returned to eastern Cumbria this afternoon, driving along in the autumn sunshine with the hill folds sculpted in autuman light. Happy return.
The wind hums in the open roof light. Ah! cool refreshing moving air. No stars out tonight. I’ve been away from the attic for six weeks. It is so good to be back here, until the spring. Yes, happy return.
And wandering over to Edera’s place I see she has been busy. Here is a translation of a poem:
On days of sorrow I live in complete sorrow
On days of happiness I live in absolute happiness
I have walked step by step with simplicity and diligence
so now a hint of truth is in my view
Nobody lends a hand if you do not find it by yourself
This travel on a narrow path has been difficult but
I have a glimpse of an unbroken world
with gratitude.
Tomorrow is another day.
Another good day.
How fortunate we are!