Analysis of Pali Translations in the Thai Tipiṭaka: The Issue of Adjusting the Offense of Ānanda Bhikkhu

Abstract

The Pali Tipiṭaka is the primary source of information that collects Buddhist teachings. It is considered very important for Buddhists. In Buddhist countries, the Pali Tipiṭaka is translated into local languages, allowing Buddhists in those countries to study Buddhism directly from the Tipiṭaka. However, translating the Pali Tipiṭaka is a difficult task and has a large amount of content, which makes the translation of some words or sentences possible to be incorrect. For example, the word “dukkaṭa” in the matter of adjusting the offenses of Ānanda bhikkhu during the First Buddhist Council. Most Thai versions of the Tipiṭaka translate it using the meaning “dukkaṭa āpatti”. However, from studying Pali grammar, it was found that the word that is the name of the offense is always paired with the word “āpatti” or “āpajjati” to indicate that is a speech intended to be an offense. Except when the word “āpatti” is in the first case, acting as “vikatikatā” in the sentence, describing the monk who has committed the offense, then it will appear alone. And from studying the commentary, it was found that he clearly explained that the word “dukkaṭa” in this sentence means doing bad things, doing not good, not referring to “dukkaṭa āpatti”. Therefore, the word “dukkaṭa” in this matter should be translated using the meaning of doing bad things, doing not good. And from the study, it was found that there are at least 4 reasons why the translation of Pali in the Thai Tipiṭaka is inaccurate: 1) In the Pali language, there are words that have the same form or same meaning. 2) The Pali language has various meanings. 3) Influenced by previous translations. 4) Not comparable with lower-level scriptures.