翻譯名義集 1.3

1.3

When reading the Tripiṭaka, I once intended to emulate the Chongwen General Catalogue, extracting the essential meanings of the scriptures to make a general catalogue of the Buddhist canon. Seeing that Sanskrit was constantly used throughout the scriptures, I would search through the canonical teachings, set forth their translated sounds and meanings, display them, and compile a separate volume. Yet before I could finish, the elder Shen of Xianqin showed me the Collection of Translated Names and Meanings compiled by Great Master Purun, Fayun, of Jingde Monastery in Pingjiang. At first sight, I rejoiced and said: “This fulfills my own intention! In the future, when the general catalogue is completed, my separate compilation can be put aside.” Later, passing through Pingjiang, Yun came to see me and requested a preface. I remarked that this book not only renders service to those who read Buddhist scriptures, but also guards the mental faculty of those who slander the Dharma. Tripiṭaka Master Zang of the Tang discussed the five kinds of untranslated terms: first, because they are secret, like dhāraṇī; second, because they encompass multiple meanings, like Bhagavat possessing six meanings; third, because they do not exist here, like the jambu tree, for in China there is truly no such wood; fourth, in deference to antiquity, like anuttara-bodhi, which is not incapable of translation, but whose Sanskrit sound has been retained since Kāśyapa Mātaṅga; fifth, to give rise to wholesome states, like prajñā which inspires veneration, whereas [the Chinese word for] wisdom is shallow. Yet the author of the Seven Delusions argued that Śākyamuni translates as “Nengren” (capable of benevolence), and the meaning of benevolence is lower in rank than the Duke of Zhou and Confucius; that anuttara-bodhi means “correct universal knowledge,” which already existed in this land in the teachings of Laozi as the “Unsurpassed True Dao,” and is in no way different; and that bodhisattva means “sentient being with the mind of the great Dao,” a term of inferior rank; and so they were concealed and left untranslated. Regarding these venerable designations of the Three Jewels, translators merely preserved their original names, yet [critics] gave vent to slanderous words. If they are made to see this book, they will find no place to peck.