new interpretation of Dhammapada 183

[Cittasanto]

here is Thich Naht Hanh "The Art of Power" interpretation of Dhammapada 183

The bad things, don't do them. The good things, try to do them Try to purify, subdue your own mind That is the teaching of all buddhas. From

and thanisaros translation

The non-doing of any evil, the performance of what's skilful, the cleansing of one's own mind: this is the teaching of the Awakened.

and from the dhammapada for contemplation
Cease to do evil, cultivate that which is good; purify the heart.
This is the Way of the Awakened Ones.

how good do you all think this interpretation is?

[catmoon]

here is Thich Naht Hanh "The Art of Power" interpretation of Dhammapada 183

The bad things, don't do them. The good things, try to do them Try to purify, subdue your own mind That is the teaching of all buddhas. From

and thanisaros translation

The non-doing of any evil, the performance of what's skilful, the cleansing of one's own mind: this is the teaching of the Awakened.

and from the dhammapada for contemplation
Cease to do evil, cultivate that which is good; purify the heart.
This is the Way of the Awakened Ones.

how good do you all think this interpretation is?

It's fine as far as creating intention goes, but gee where is the nuts and bolts? How does one purify, cultivate and cleanse?

[Laurens]

I think what he is trying to emphasize is compassion for one's self by using the words 'try to' it sounds less like a command. I think he makes it seem less forceful and giving room for mistakes - which can be helpful to the practicioner.

However, was it the teachings of all the Buddha's to 'try to'? I think thats probably where the contention lies.

[adeh]

Thich Naht Than's translation of the verse is a bit too free and "modern", and the verse mentions nothing about "trying to" nor "subduing" the mind.....it says: saccittapariyodapanam "purify [one's] own mind". Mark.

[Reductor]

TNHs translation does seem awfully soft and accommodating to those that satisfied with a half-ass effort.
Very much, it seems, geared to the hobby Buddhist common in the west.

Another translation:
From http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html
183. To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Do you have a link for the third one you quoted, the one from the dhammapada for contemplation?

[Cittasanto]

TNHs translation does seem awfully soft and accommodating to those that satisfied with a half-ass effort.
Very much, it seems, geared to the hobby Buddhist common in the west.

Another translation:
From http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html
183. To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Do you have a link for the third one you quoted, the one from the dhammapada for contemplation?

hi thereductor,
online version
http://aruno.org/index.php?option=com_c ... &Itemid=80
PDF
http://aruno.org/index.php?option=com_c ... &Itemid=49

[Reductor]

hi thereductor,
online version
http://aruno.org/index.php?option=com_c ... &Itemid=80
PDF
http://aruno.org/index.php?option=com_c ... &Itemid=49

Thank you for the link. Sees to be very readable.