Thick Translation And Representation Of Zen

The Platform S?tra of the Sixth Patriarch or Tan Jing is a fundamental text in the Zen Buddhism,which is also the only Chinese canon attributed to the title of S?tra.It boasts significant cultural values with great insight into self-nature and inborn prajana,featured as "One hundred Traditional Chinese Classics" in 2017.This study adopts an embedded case study design,selecting its earliest Dun Huang Edition as source text and three English translations,i.e.Wing-tsit Chan's(1963),Yampolsky's(1967)and Red Pine's version(2006)as units of analysis.While Dun Huang Edition is such an important text in the Zen history,few researchers have studied its English versions,which still remain a virgin territory to be tilled.By drawing insights from Mona Baker's narrative theory and framing devices as well as Genette's paratexts theory,this research aims to explore the role of thick translation in the representation of image of Zen.Through a comparison of three translators'preface/introduction,translation notes and their handling of cultural terms,it is found that while there is no major difference in the transference of the textual content,three versions reveal different interpretation and attitudes towards Zen.Thick translation,therefore,can play an essential role in the representation of image of Zen.To be specific,in Wing-tsit Chan's version,Zen is conceived as part of the Chinese cultural triad,with its cultural meaning underlined.An intercultural approach is adopted,with a view to presenting Zen in a way as pertinent to target language readers as possible.As regards Zen history and textual authenticity,Chan takes a relatively middle course.By comparison,the historical aspect of Zen is more emphasized in Yampolsky,where almost every textual detail is heavily annotated in its attempt to revealing a demystified image of Zen with mixed facts and legends.Contrary to 'history Zen',through the use of inspiring notes and comments,Red Pine's version emphasizes the inner and spiritual aspect of Zen,aiming to provide a book of guidance for Dharma seekers and practitioners.To triangulate the findings,reviewers' comments on three translations are also analyzed,and the two show a high degree of consistency.It is hoped that this study could shed some fresh lights on relevant research.