[Buddha-l] liturgical languages

[curt]

Richard P. Hayes wrote:

>On Wed, 2005-04-27 at 11:36 -0400, curt wrote:
>  
>
>>In other words, and to put it bluntly, isn't the idea of chanting in one's
>>own language largely a Western affectation?
>>    
>>
>
>As far as I know, most Asian Buddhists chant syllables that they barely
>understand. But why would you call it an "affectation" to chant
>something that you understand instead of something that is gibberish to
>you? I should think it more an affectation to do the opposite. 
>
Call it what you will - just so long as we are clear that what you are 
insisting on is something
that has never been a generally accepted practice in the 2500 year 
history of Buddhism in Asia.
I think this is a relevant point, since Western Buddhists are often 
given the impression that
there is something peculiar about Westerners chanting in a foreign 
language - when, in fact,
this is the way it has always been done in Asian Buddhism.

>But then I guess I have been overly influence by the Buddha's urging his
>disciples always to talk about dharma in the local language and always
>to chant in such a way that people can understanding the meaning of the
>text being chanted. Otherwise, one is just making unnecessary noise,
>nicht wahr?
>  
>
Not at all. You seem to be primarily concerned with the literal meaning 
of the chants.
I am personally much more concerned with how the chants sound. The Great 
Dharani,
for example, is a very beautiful sounding chant - but when you translate 
it into English
it is largely meaningless mumbo jumbo. But it sure does sound nice "in 
the original".
And then there's the Heart Sutra - the Japanese, Korean and Chinese 
versions have a
rhythm and musicality that is completely lost in translation. Yet 
another example is the
"Kanzeon Sutra". When done in the Japanese version it is, in my opinion, 
a genuinely
transforming experience - but the English translations are flat and 
lifeless. You can have
your ginger ale - I'll still to the original gin. Like it says in the 
Chaldean Oracles: "Never
change the barbarous names."

- Curt