6 thoughts on “The Devotional Books”

  1. Hi, I was wondering if you had any suggestions about some good translations of the Dhammapada?

    1. There are many translations of the Dhammapada but the only two with which I’m personally familiar are the Theosophy Company edition (which says in its foreword that “This is not a new translation. It is only a rendition. Over a score of translations have been consulted in its compilation and of course our debt of gratitude to them is large.”) and the one by Thomas Byrom, published by Shambhala.

      I would call these “good” in the sense that they’re clear, accessible, and inspiring, and – in the case of the Theosophy Company edition – fairly detailed and philosophical. But I’m unaware as to how closely and accurately they reflect the original ancient text.

      In the article “World-Improvement or World-Deliverance” H.P. Blavatsky remarks that “Neither the Dhammapada nor the Sutta Nipata are … a proof to us in their now mutilated and misunderstood text.”

      So we should perhaps not take ANY translation of the Dhammapada, the oriental ones included, as being entirely accurate in regards to either the letter or spirit of Buddha’s actual teachings but it’s still worth reading nevertheless.

  3. In your opinion, what is the best translation of the Vivekachudamani? And, is it worth reading?

    1. Mohini M. Chatterji (or Chatterjee) translated the Vivekachudamani (Adi Shankaracharya’s “Crest Jewel of Wisdom”) for “The Theosophist” magazine in 1886. This is the version that HPB quotes from and refers to in “The Secret Doctrine.”

      Considering that Mohini was a chela or disciple of the Master Koot Hoomi and that Shankaracharya was “the greatest of the Esoteric masters of India,” “the greatest Initiate living in the historical ages,” and “one of the greatest minds that ever appeared on Earth” (HPB, “The Secret Doctrine”) it must be worth reading or, rather, meditatively reflecting and pondering upon.

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