Samten Migdron translation due soon

[Javierfv1212]

The Lamp for the Eye of Contemplation: The Samten Migdron by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe, a 10th-century Tibetan Buddhist Text on Meditation
by Dylan Esler

Anyone know anything about Dylan Esler and his abilities as translator? His academia page is promising, it says:

Associate Translator, 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha
Dylan Esler is a scholar and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts. He holds a PhD from the University of Louvain and an MA in Buddhist Studies from SOAS, University of London. He works for 84000, an organization devoted to the translation into English of the Tibetan Buddhist canon. Previously, he was a researcher at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) of the Ruhr-University Bochum. He is affiliated with the Oriental Institute of Louvain (CIOL), where he has held the Satsuma Chair, and has also taught at the Inalco in Paris. Dr Esler’s research interest focuses on early Nyingma expositions of Dzogchen and Tantra.

https://uclouvain.academia.edu/DylanEsler

[Archie2009]

I was able to preorder a copy for €83.55 at Amazon. Current preorder prices are much higher, unfortunately.

According to Oxford University Press publication has been pushed back again to around 16 Februari 2023: https://global.oup.com/academic/product ... 0197609903

[gelukman]

You can find a pdf online. I am on chapter 3. Loving it, reminds me of passionate Dharma.
And if you have afford, buy the book!

[Archie2009]

You can find a pdf online. I am on chapter 3. Loving it, reminds me of passionate Dharma.
And if you have afford, buy the book!

That must have been recently uploaded. Thanks. I'd like to know what I'd be spending my money on.

[gelukman]

I am amazed how wonderful this text is. Yes it was expensive. Totally worth it.
I might buy a copy just to make offerings to it.

[gelukman]

Same author, another amazing text.
Publication date: 23 Feb 2023



Effortless Spontaneity: The Dzogchen Commentaries by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe
Series: 

Brill's Tibetan Studies Library, Volume: 54

Author: Dylan Esler
The notion of effortlessness is central to the self-understanding of the Tibetan contemplative tradition known as Dzogchen. This book explores this key notion from a variety of perspectives, highlighting the distinctive role it plays in the Dzogchen approach’s doctrinal architecture and meditative programme.
The book’s focus is on the early development of the Dzogchen tradition, especially as codified in a set of hitherto unstudied commentaries by the 10th-century scholar and meditation master Nubchen Sangye Yeshe. A full annotated translation of the commentaries is provided, along with an edition of the Tibetan texts on facing pages.

https://brill.com/display/title/63340?r ... 0%9F%98%B1

[PemaSherab]

I've published and peer-reviewed with Brill, and they have (at least in philosophy and aesthetics) a rigorous peer review system. So the fact that this translator has a publication with Brill is a good sign for me.

YMMV etc.

---Rob

[jet.urgyen]

Does require oral transmission?

[Malcolm]

Does require oral transmission?

It doesn’t exist.

[Pero]

Is "auditors" for shravakas a common translation? I thought it wasn't the first time I saw it (Wilkinson) but maybe it's because I don't read enough.

[jet.urgyen]

Does require oral transmission?

It doesn’t exist.

then, to dive in it falls into one's own criteria?

[Malcolm]

Is "auditors" for shravakas a common translation? I thought it wasn't the first time I saw it (Wilkinson) but maybe it's because I don't read enough.

It’s an overly literal translation of snyan thos, I.e shravakas.

[Virgo]

Is "auditors" for shravakas a common translation? I thought it wasn't the first time I saw it (Wilkinson) but maybe it's because I don't read enough.

You probably just read too much of the wrong stuff. For example, this translation.

Virgo

[Pero]

Is "auditors" for shravakas a common translation? I thought it wasn't the first time I saw it (Wilkinson) but maybe it's because I don't read enough.

You probably just read too much of the wrong stuff. For example, this translation.

Virgo

Hm, if I read the wrong stuff, and don't encounter this translation, it would mean it is actually a common translation though?
I haven't read the translation of this book BTW. I only saw this word in the contents I think. Why do you think the translation of this book is wrong?

[Virgo]

Why do you think the translation of this book is wrong?

Because if you are willing to pay 93 + dollars for a translation that has "auditors" as a translation of snyan thos (shravakas), then unless you are someone who read it because you are a translator of similar works and wanted to focus on the actual art of translating itself, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

The original work is probably worth reading, but I would question this translation.

Virgo

[Virgo]

If it was 25 or so, which is about as much as I am willing to pay for an e-book, then I would read it.

Virgo

[heart]

Why do you think the translation of this book is wrong?

Because if you are willing to pay 93 + dollars for a translation that has "auditors" as a translation of snyan thos (shravakas), then unless you are someone who read it because you are a translator of similar works and wanted to focus on the actual art of translating itself, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

The original work is probably worth reading, but I would question this translation.

Virgo

Brill is a scientific publisher and the peer review is mainly for the scientific part of this book, all Brill books are expensive.

[Virgo]

If it was 25 or so, which is about as much as I am willing to pay for an e-book, then I would read it.

Virgo

I take that back. I just read some of his work at academia.edu. No thanks.

Virgo

[PemaSherab]

Why do you think the translation of this book is wrong?

Because if you are willing to pay 93 + dollars for a translation that has "auditors" as a translation of snyan thos (shravakas), then unless you are someone who read it because you are a translator of similar works and wanted to focus on the actual art of translating itself, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

The original work is probably worth reading, but I would question this translation.

Virgo

Brill is a scientific publisher and the peer review is mainly for the scientific part of this book, all Brill books are expensive.

Brill has lines far beyond the sciences. I've published and peer-reviewed under one of their philosophy and aesthetics lines. Every word of the texts I worked on was subject to double-blind peer review and editorial review. Those are the general standards for Brill. They are expensive books.

Edit-- I don't know anything about the text or the quality of the translation. I only have experience with Brill.

[Archie2009]

I only know I used to live basically around the corner from Brill's head office and that their books are ridiculously expensive.

And, after inspecting the PDF and epub, that I wouldn't pay €83.55 for an academic translation like this. Cancelled (the OUP title).