How Literally Should Spiritual Texts Be Translated?

August 1, 2024

Do translations of spiritual texts have to be so foreign-sounding? Do non-literal translations distort the words of the prophets and sages? A translator of Chinese Buddhist and Taoist scripture weighs in on the subject.

Flying man with children on back.

Eric R Stone

Eric R Stone is an American journalist and translator living in Taipei, Taiwan. He specializes in politics, history, philosophy, and ancient Chinese literature. He's translated four books: Happiness & Suffering, Tao Te Ching: Wondrous Revelations, The Secret of Chan, and Emptiness Energy. In his free time, he boulders, dances Lindy Hop, and runs Dungeons & Dragons adventures in Mandarin for his Taiwanese friends.

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