Once we translate the whole Buddhist canon into English, what then? Do we read it—or just wear it on a flash drive amulet for its magically meritorious qualities? Scholar Donald Lopez asks if the AI future of sutra translation ends in awakening or apocrypha. Accessible Link - ThreadSky

fmr-h.bsky.social • 36 days ago

Once we translate the whole Buddhist canon into English, what then? Do we read it—or just wear it on a flash drive amulet for its magically meritorious qualities? Scholar Donald Lopez asks if the AI future of sutra translation ends in awakening or apocrypha.

Accessible Link

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paulflute.bsky.social•36 days ago

thank you

embodied108.bsky.social•36 days ago

Translating does nothing unless we learn the referents. This has been a big problem in Pali -> Sanskrit (which Buddha wanted about but alas)

embodied108.bsky.social•35 days ago

Warned about

jhchristensen.bsky.social•27 days ago

We don't wear it; we become it. No magic there, just hard work.

fmr-h.bsky.social•26 days ago

Still good to keep a copy of the Lotus Sutra around. According to the text, just having it in your possession is good karma and may lead to a better rebirth. Every place it rests becomes a pure land. You never know 🤷

jhchristensen.bsky.social•25 days ago

Better yet: Make your own mind a pure land by following Geshe Chekawa's advice: "Remember this by repeated recollection. Practice every activity by these words." As the Apostle James (1:21) said, "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." Carry the talisman within.

wcang79.bsky.social•35 days ago

I'm surprised that the sutras are there to be bowed and recited to ward off calamities instead of studied and practised. What's the point if that's the extent of usage?

wcang79.bsky.social•35 days ago

The Pali canon is said to be organized in the order recited by Upali and Ananda at the First Council shortly after the Buddha passed into nirvana.

I thought the current organization of texts happened later. They organized the texts into 9 angas in the earliest period.

fmr-h.bsky.social•35 days ago

Accounts of the early history are most likely not historical events as much as attempts to legitimize by later generations. Here, Lopez is using the historical reference from the texts to illustrate change and variation. There are still a lot of holes in the history of early buddhism.

netzbuddhist.bsky.social•35 days ago

It’ll be interesting to see how AI-generated “apocryphal sutras” evolve - texts created without a clear author, but shaped by human data. Raises real questions about spiritual authority and legitimacy. #buddha

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