A new translation of the four Pali nikayas has been created for SuttaCentral by Bhante Sujato. It is a warm and lucid translation, with an emphasis on accuracy and clarity, and is the first ever complete, consistent, and unified translation of the four nikayas in any European language.
Ajahn Sujato, an Australian bhikkhu, is a meditator, teacher, and Pali scholar of over twenty year’s experience. He has worked extensively with digital texts on SuttaCentral, and has taught suttas to a diverse international audience.
The guiding philosophy behind the new translations was to look to the example of the Buddha himself, as the incomparable teacher of the world. The Buddha was an approachable teacher, people from all walks of life would feel comfortable to go to him with their problems and questions. Because of his great compassion and kindness, the Buddha made sure that his words would always be clearly understood by his audience, no matter what their experience or background. And he encouraged his students to do the same, speaking the Dhamma in their own language. In this spirit, the new translations are expressing in plain, straightforward English, so that people all around the world can learn from the Buddha.
Since 2005, SuttaCentral has provided resources for people wanting to access the Buddha’s words online. They have original texts in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese, and tens of thousands of links that show where these texts parallel each other. They have also brought together Tipitaka translations in 40 of the world’s language including Sinhala.
However, many older translations are of dubious reliability, or use archaic or difficult language, or are constrained by copyright. The new translations aim to overcome these limitations.
The sutta translations are accompanied by an ongoing translation of the Pali Vinaya by Ajahn Brahmali. The classic Vinaya translation by I.B. Horner has long been in need of an update. Ajahn Brahmali’s new translation is clear and accessible, and stems from his long experience not only with Pali and the texts, but with living in a community that runs according to the Vinaya.
Sutta Central is proud to make these new translations freely available without any copyright restrictions. In the coming years, Sutta Central will also support translations in other languages. The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress and the Sutta Central are delighted to invite will celebrate the launch of Sutta Central.net in Sri Lanka on May 31 at the Nelum Pokuna from 2.30 p.m.
Please visit https://suttacentralinsrilanka.eventbrite.comn.au to reserve your seat today. Further details: Deepika Weerakoon: 0770327742.