The Udana: The Solemn Utterances of the Buddha (Forgotten Books) [Paperback]

G. M. Strong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007

Book Description:

"The Udana (udâna) is a Buddhist scripture, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. It is included there in the Sutta Pitaka's Khuddaka Nikaya. The title might be translated "inspired utterances". The book comprises 80 such utterances, most in verse, each preceded by a narrative giving the context in which the Buddha utters it." (Quote from wikipedia.org)

Table of Contents:

Publisher’s Preface; Preface; Introduction; "the Enlightenment."; Mucilinda.; "nanda".; "meghiya."; Sona Thera.; Jaccandha.; Cula.; Patalagami.; Endnotes

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Forgotten Books (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605061166
• ISBN-13: 978-1605061160
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,274,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Rough translation from the late 1800s, August 1, 2009

By 

Linda Blanchard (Midland, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Udana: The Solemn Utterances of the Buddha (Forgotten Books) (Paperback)

For a book you can get free online via forgottenbooks dot org this isn't bad. Originally published in 1902, this is a translation of his father's translation from the Pali (into German, if I recall correctly) so the original was probably written two turns of centuries ago. It was out of copyright, and scanned in, and when the scanner fails (not often), you can still usually make out what was intended. However when the translator(s) fail, it can result in a total loss of meaning or the potential for getting the wrong meaning. In the latter case there's always that risk in every translation, in the former in this book at least there is some notations that the "whole of this passage is very obscure in the original."

To give a fairly minor example we have a conversation between the Buddha and King Pasenadi who has just visited with a varied assortment of heretics from naked Jains to fire worshipers. Talking to the Buddha afterward the King says (in this version): "There are, Sire, certain of my people going about the country, who may be likened to robbers, for they receive alms without having renounced the world. When these have entered the 'path', I will do likewise.'" Compare this to Thanissaro Bhikku's translation freely available at access to insight dot org "These men, lord, are my spies, my scouts, returning after going out through the countryside. They go out first, and then I go." Big difference in meaning!

The Udana is worth reading as a collection of short tales including the one where the Buddha puts down the heretics arguing the finer points of cosmology by comparing them to blind men trying to describe an elephant after only grasping one of its parts. But you might want to find a more up-to-date version.