Is a word for word translation of the Theravada Pali chants available? This would be most useful not only in a direct understanding of the language of the chants but in learning Pali as one chants every day!
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The Digital Pali Reader has the option to enter your own Pali text and then click to look up words if thatâs what you are after.
https://www.digitalpalireader.online
Itâs a little wonky, though. Seems you first have to go to one of the built in texts. Then in the bottom panel, enter your text and click âanalyzeâ
Then in the top section your text will appear with the ability to click to look up:
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Thank you
Although some ajahns feel you only have to chant in Pali and you dont need to understand; others feel it is better to know what you are chanting. I practice in the Theraveda tradition and the chanting books( for example Ajahn Jeffâs)are are very figurative translation which is not very helpful while chanting. A literal translation, word for word, would be a wonderful way to learn some Pali and to bring the chants more to life and,I think, easier to memorize.I think so many would find this both useful and energizing.
Thank you for this wonderful resource.
JeffW
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Really? I found his chanting book quite literal in its translationsâŚ
Sure the word order is sometimes a bit different, but even with my little knowledge of PÄḡi itâs quite easy to figure out which English word maps to which PÄli term⌠(Something not always easy in, for example, the Amaravati book, which really does have some more figurative translations)
From the Mangala Sutta(Ajahn Jeff):
" Patirupa-desa vaso-ca Pubbe-ca punnata
Atta-samma-panidhi ca. Etam-mangalam-uttamam
Living in a civilized country, having made merit in the past, directing oneself rightly,This is the highest blessing"
Word for word:
âSuitable place reside Past done meritorious actions
Oneself rightly directed. This blessing highestâ
The mapping is far from literal without knowing Pali. It may be poetic, it may be close, but literal it is not; Ex;âPatirupa desa-vaso caâ doesnât equal "Living in a civilized country"and if I gave you the Pali word Patirupa,where is the English?
Perhaps I should not have mentioned any translation/translator but merely asked for help in literally translating the Pali as, for me, it is difficult, especially with Sanskrit words thrown in.
Edit: Pubbe-ca punnata should read Pubbe-ca kata-punnata. kata is Pali for âdoneâ