Translations
The Dzogchen Today! Translation Committee
A thousand words.
The Dzogchen Today! translation committee aims to translate most of the existing Dzogchen texts.
First, of course, the essential founding texts, then the great texts of the Three Series and the essential commentaries such as those of Longchenpa.
The most important thing for the committee is to respect the original meaning as much as possible, to make it clear from the start to our way of thinking today.
The second most important thing for us is that we translate from Tibetan into French and then into English. Since most Tibetan texts are translated into English first, we thought that having the French translation first would open up a whole range of possibilities for the English translation. Call it the “French Touch of Dzogchen”!
DZOGCHEN TRANSLATIONS
Translation Committee?
TRANSLATED WORDS
TRANSLATED EXPRESSIONS
TRANSLATED TEXTS
TEXTS AVAILABLE
RIGPA: “THE PRIMORDIAL EVIDENCE”
One of the fundamental Dzogchen terms to translate, and perhaps one of the most difficult. At the same time it conveys the notions of “primordial nature”, “fundamental knowledge”, “immediate knowledge of the nature of mind and all its appearances”… You might as well say that we spent a long time arguing before arriving at something more or less acceptable…
SEM: “THE THINKING MIND”
This is Rigpa’s “evil double”. It is the dual mind that determines the reality of the world through a subject and an object. Its absolute weapon is concept. The committee hesitated for a long time to translate it as “conceptual mind”. We had also considered “dual mind” or “ordinary mind” which are more easily found.
“Translating is not everything. It is also important to convey the deeper meaning of Dzogchen through direct commentary and teaching. However, without the opportunity to receive Dzogchen directly in one’s own language, it is very difficult to realize the great perfection of what we really are.”
Mila Khyentse
TRANSLATIONS OF DZOGCHEN TEXTS
The special teaching of the wise and radiant ruler
“The special teaching of the wise and radiant ruler” by Patrul Rinpoche is a new translation from the Dzogchen Today translation committee.
The Three Aphorisms
“The Three Aphorisms” by Prahevajra, Garab Dorje is a new text translated by the Dzogchen Today! Translation Committee.
Practicing the Great Perfection
“ Practicing the Great Perfection” by Patrul Rinpoche, is a new text translated by the Dzogchen Today! Translation Committee.
The Song of Primordial Evidence
The Song of Primordial Evidence is one of the most important fundamental texts of Dzogchen translated by the translation Committee.
The Beneficial Remedy that dispels sickness
“The Beneficial Remedy that dispels sickness” is a new text translated by the Dzogchen Today! Translation Committee.
MORE TRANSLATED WORDS FROM THE COMMITEE
NGOWO (NGO BO): EMPTY ESSENCE
TSEL (RTSAL): EXTERNAL DYNAMIC
RANGSHIN (RANG BZHIN): NATURAL EXPRESSION
RÖL (ROL): INTERNAL DYNAMIC
THUKJE (THUGS RJE): SOVEREIGN MANIFESTATION
DANG (GDANGS): EMPTY DYNAMIC
GLOSSARY OF ALL TERMS
On the glossary page you will find all the terms translated by the committee. We currently have 350 terms and increasing.
THE WORLD OF TRANSLATION & TRANSLATORS
In the Translator’s Workinghouse 6
In “In the Translators Workinghouse 6”, Paul explains that all spiritual practice is based on intellectual erudition and yogic realization.
In the translator’s workinghouse 5
In this article « In the Translator’s Workinghouse 5 », Paul proposes a reflection on vocabulary: he observes that our gaze deepens with time and practice, and that words change meaning.
An interview with Philippe Cornu 2
An interview with Philippe Cornu part 2, conducted by the Translation Committee’s junior translators Gregoire and Paul over a cafe gourmand.
An interview with Philippe Cornu
Here is An interview with Philippe Cornu conducted by the Translation Committee’s junior translators Gregoire and Paul over a cafe gourmand.
Spring
In this article, “Spring”, spyid in Tibetan, Paul discusses the notion of renewal and beginning for Dzogchen.
KADAG: “THE PRIMORDIAL PURITY”
This is one of the easiest terms to translate, although its meaning is difficult to access because it is ultimate. It represents the primordial empty essence of all the manifestations of the phenomena of reality.
LHÜNDRUP: “SPONTANEOUSLY ACHIEVED”
Less obvious than Kadag. It represents the great perfection of all that spontaneously manifests itself from the primordial purity.
“Translation is a bit beyond my personal will. And that’s the thing: you really have to be inhabited by the text to be able to translate it properly.”
Philippe Cornu
MORE TRANSLATIONS FROM OTHER TRANSLATORS
KHYENTSE VISION PROJECT
SHANG SHUNG PUBLICATIONS
MALCOM SMITH ZANGTHAL
LIGMINCHA BÖN DZOGCHEN
KEITH DOWMAN
PKTC
WISDOM EXPERIENCE
ZANGTHAL
DZOGCHEN WIKI
LIGHT OF BEROTSANA
SIMPLY BEING
LOTSAWA HOUSE
RANGJUNG YESHE PUBLICATIONS
STÉPHANE ARGUILLÈRE
CHRISTOPHER WILKINSON
SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS
ALLAN WALLACE
VAJRANATHA
REQUIREMENTS FOR A GOOD TRANSLATION
to correspond to the meaning of the word
to correspond to the experience it points to
the word and the experience be immediately understandable to the reader
the reader has an immediate experience with the text
YESHE (YE SHES)
PRIMORDIAL KNOWLEDGE.
The direct knowledge of the primordial essence and the spontaneous nature of the mind. One of Rigpa’s fundamental qualities for the Great Perfection.
SHERAB (SHES RAB)
SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE.
Advanced knowledge of the various factors that make up general and individual phenomena. One of the qualities of sem.
“Translation is a privileged time of exchange: a time to listen to each other, to share, to be immersed in other ways of thinking and seeing the world. It is an incredible richness!.”