Chinese Translation Theory - Xuanzang (600-664AD)

Xuanzang (600-664AD)

Xuanzang’s theory is the Five Untranslatables (五種不翻), or five instances where one should transliterate:

1. Secrets: Dharani 陀羅尼, Sanskrit ritual speech or incantations, which includes mantras.
2. Polysemy: bhaga (as in the Bhagavad Gita) 薄伽, which means comfortable, flourishing, dignity, name, lucky, esteemed.
3. None in China: jambu tree 閻浮樹, which does not grow in China.
4. Deference to the past: the translation for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi is already established as Anouputi 阿耨菩提.
5. To inspire respect and righteousness: Prajna 般若 instead of “wisdom” (智慧).