Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

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Assaji
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Assaji »

Hello,

There's a free Visuddhimagga translation at:

The path of purity;
being a translation of Buddhaghosa's Visuddhimagga by Pe Maung Tin
([1922])

http://www.archive.org/details/pathofpu ... 01budduoft" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metta, Dmytro
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mikenz66
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by mikenz66 »

Thanks Dmytro,
Dmytro wrote: There's a free Visuddhimagga translation at:...
But only the first volume... :cry:

http://www.palitext.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Path of Purity,
tr. Pe Maung Tin, 3 volumes, 1923, 1929, 1931, reprinted as one
volume 1975
ISBN 008 8 £45.30 « Add to Basket »
One of the most influential Pāli texts, this compendium of Buddhist doctrine and metaphysics is the most important book written by Buddhaghosa. It provides a systematic exposition of Buddhist teaching and is also a detailed manual for meditation. (5th century C.E.)
Translation of Visuddhimagga.


Mike
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Individual »

mikenz66 wrote:Thanks Dmytro,
Dmytro wrote: There's a free Visuddhimagga translation at:...
But only the first volume... :cry:

http://www.palitext.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Path of Purity,
tr. Pe Maung Tin, 3 volumes, 1923, 1929, 1931, reprinted as one
volume 1975
1923-31? Are the original translators of that work even still alive?
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
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mikenz66
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by mikenz66 »

Individual wrote: 1923-31? Are the original translators of that work even still alive?
Presumably not, which I guess is why it says:
Possible copyright status: NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT
I'm not up on all the copyright laws but presumably since Venerable Ñanamoli died in 1960 his translation of the Visuddhimagga, and his various other works, will be out of Copyright some time soon (50 years: 2010?). At least the versions printed back in the 1950s... Perhaps that is why BPS is planning a free PDF version soon...

Mike
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Individual »

mikenz66 wrote:
Individual wrote: 1923-31? Are the original translators of that work even still alive?
Presumably not, which I guess is why it says:
Possible copyright status: NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT
I'm not up on all the copyright laws but presumably since Venerable Ñanamoli died in 1960 his translation of the Visuddhimagga, and his various other works, will be out of Copyright some time soon (50 years: 2010?). At least the versions printed back in the 1950s... Perhaps that is why BPS is planning a free PDF version soon...

Mike
But what about Pe Maung Tin's translation? There's apparently a public domain translation out there somewhere, but it's out of print, and people with paperback copies simply aren't scanning it?

I bet somebody at the PTS has a copy.
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
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mikenz66
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by mikenz66 »

Individual wrote: But what about Pe Maung Tin's translation?
Presumably it's all out of copyright. Why don't you go to your library, request to interloan the second and third volumes, scan them, and put them on a web site?

Mike
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tiltbillings
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by tiltbillings »

mikenz66 wrote:
Individual wrote: But what about Pe Maung Tin's translation?
Presumably it's all out of copyright. Why don't you go to your library, request to interloan the second and third volumes, scan them, and put them on a web site?

Mike
Making the book free on the web would take money away from further PTS projects, so better that he buys a copy from the PTS, so that the PTS at least can get some support for having produced the book.
The Path of Purity,
tr. Pe Maung Tin, 3 volumes, 1923, 1929, 1931, reprinted as one
volume 1975
ISBN 008 8 £45.30 « Add to Basket »
One of the most influential Pāli texts, this compendium of Buddhist doctrine and metaphysics is the most important book written by Buddhaghosa. It provides a systematic exposition of Buddhist teaching and is also a detailed manual for meditation. (5th century C.E.)
http://www.palitext.com/palitext/tran.htm#tt34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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retrofuturist
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Tilt,
tiltbillings wrote:Better that he buys a copy from the PTS, so that the PTS can get some support for having produced the book.
Assuming of course he can afford to. PTS publications aren't the cheapest going around. Nor are they, as you point out, necessarily the best translations despite the premium prices charged.

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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tiltbillings
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by tiltbillings »

retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Tilt,
tiltbillings wrote:Better that he buys a copy from the PTS, so that the PTS can get some support for having produced the book.
Assuming of course he can afford to. PTS publications aren't the cheapest going around. Nor are they, as you point out, necessarily the best translations despite the premium prices charged.

Metta,
Retro. :)
The money does not go into PTS' pockets. It gets turned around for further projects. Also, the quality of the their printing is quite good. Copying this book and making it free to everyone without working through the the PTS is theft, depriving the PTS of being able to support further projects, which then deprives us from further good quality translations and critical editions of the Pali texts. That's the way to make the Dhamma available to everyone.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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tiltbillings
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by tiltbillings »

http://www.palitext.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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For instructions on how to pay please see above. Our contact details can be found here.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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mikenz66
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by mikenz66 »

Hi Tilt,

I'm not a copyright expert, but I suggested finding an old copy because I'm not sure if it is legal to copy the latest PTS version, even if the original copyright has expired, since it would have new typesetting, etc.

And what if the author transferred the copyright to PTS? Would copying an old copy still be legal?

Issues like this come up with CDs of old recordings. The old recording may be out of copyright, but the new CD is copyright (as I thought I understood it...).

Mike
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tiltbillings
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by tiltbillings »

mikenz66 wrote:Hi Tilt,

I'm not a copyright expert, but I suggested finding an old copy because I'm not sure if it is legal to copy the latest PTS version, even if the original copyright has expired, since it would have new typesetting, etc.

And what if the author transferred the copyright to PTS? Would copying an old copy still be legal?

Issues like this come up with CDs of old recordings. The old recording may be out of copyright, but the new CD is copyright (as I thought I understood it...).

Mike
Equating what is legal with what is moral is not always a one-to-one.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Individual
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Individual »

tiltbillings wrote:
mikenz66 wrote:
Individual wrote: But what about Pe Maung Tin's translation?
Presumably it's all out of copyright. Why don't you go to your library, request to interloan the second and third volumes, scan them, and put them on a web site?

Mike
Making the book free on the web would take money away from further PTS projects
That doesn't seem to be very important if Pe Maung Tin's translation falls out of print, isn't scanned, and then ceases to exist entirely.
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
Individual
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Individual »

tiltbillings wrote:
retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Tilt,
tiltbillings wrote:Better that he buys a copy from the PTS, so that the PTS can get some support for having produced the book.
Assuming of course he can afford to. PTS publications aren't the cheapest going around. Nor are they, as you point out, necessarily the best translations despite the premium prices charged.

Metta,
Retro. :)
The money does not go into PTS' pockets. It gets turned around for further projects. Also, the quality of the their printing is quite good. Copying this book and making it free to everyone without working through the the PTS is theft, depriving the PTS of being able to support further projects, which then deprives us from further good quality translations and critical editions of the Pali texts. That's the way to make the Dhamma available to everyone.
Tiltbillings, I asked this question earlier in the thread but I'd like to ask it again: Do you think that a freely available Tipitaka or other Buddhist texts would be beneficial? Do you think it will ever happen?
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
Individual
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Re: Why isn't the Visuddhimagga free?

Post by Individual »

mikenz66 wrote:
Individual wrote: But what about Pe Maung Tin's translation?
Presumably it's all out of copyright. Why don't you go to your library, request to interloan the second and third volumes, scan them, and put them on a web site?

Mike
I doubt I could find it at MY local library. Of the allegedly "easily accessible" Tipitaka, all they have is the Majjhima Nikaya. Maybe they could request it from another library... Did PTS ever deliver a copy to the library of congress? Do they deliver copies of their work to the library of congress right now?
The best things in life aren't things.

The Diamond Sutra
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