Which Dhammapada translation(s)?

[mikenz66]

Hi @ erlendne

On the first lines of the Dhammapada

I was writing a response to the post on a translation of the first lines of the Dhammapada: And thanks to all those who have posted multiple translations. From there we can see that almost all the translations are very similar. Looking more closely, I believe that there are a number of issues with older translations that, while minor on their own, contribute to making the reading of the lines more vague and less specific than they should be. Let’s take it bit by bit. One of the key terms is…

[erlendne]

Thanks Mike, I also found some relevant information here.

[Adutiya]

I find the translation interesting in regard to the first word of the Dhammapada:

manopubbaṅgammā : manopubbaṅgamma-, Adj.: preceded by mind. Compound of
mano: manas-, N.n.: mind. The compound form: mano.
pubbaṅgamma-, Adj.: preceded. This is itself a compound of two words:
pubbaṃ. Adv.: before. The compound form: pubbaṅ.
gamma-, Adj., ger.: going. Derived from the verb gam- (to go).
Nom.Pl. = manopubbaṅgammā.

Many translators in the list above use mind
Sujato: intention
Thanissaro: heart
John Ross Carter & Glenn Wallis: mental states
Max Muller: thoughts

With Ven. Sujato’s essay clarifying (thanks mikenz66), I’ll substitute any translations word with intention and see how that feels.

[Me1]

I am enjoying Gil Fronsdals’ tranlation