We started our March 7 ZOOM class on DCB35-Learning From Buddha with a question on what would be the best way to translate the Chinese term “xiu xing.” It is usually translated as “cultivation,” but we know that its true meaning includes much more. The question–#56–was “Do you think it would be better if we did not try and translate the Chinese term “Xiuxing”? Nellie Kwok offered such an in depth explanation of the advantages and disadvantaages of the translation that I wanted to make it available to all of you. This is Nellie’s answer:
“Translating Xiu Xing” by Nellie Kwok
Chinese-speaking Buddhist practitioners frequently use the phrase “學佛修行” (pinyin: “Xue Fo, Xiu Xing”), which translates to “learn from Buddha, cultivate conduct.”
It is difficult to fully translate “Xiu Xing” into English due to the inherent limitations of language prajna when trying to convey all of the nuances of cultivation. However, I believe the English translation here (with the help of Buddha Master’s discourses) does embody the essence of what “Xiu Xing” means in Chinese.
Not translating “Xiu Xing” into English might cause some confusion for non-Buddhists or new Buddhist practitioners. When you type “修行”into Google Translate for instance, the standard English translation is “practice”. The translation completely misses the essential aspect of “conduct”. In a Buddhist context, we must look deeper: “Xiu” in Chinese refers to correcting, repairing, or practicing, while “Xing” refers to behavior or conduct.
It is important to note that many Chinese-speaking Buddhists may not know the true meaning of “Xiu Xing” either. To fully understand what “Xiu Xing” entails, one must study the Buddha Master’s Dharma discourses, specifically “What Is Cultivation” and “Learning From Buddha.” Although a perfect English translation is difficult, I believe the translation provided here—supported by the Buddha Master’s teachings—successfully embodies the essence of the term.
TWO QUOTES FROM LEARNING FROM BUDDHA:
Quote 1: “In the end, it is conduct that brings about the fruits or results of karma. It is not the physical form that creates karma. That is why there is the term called “cultivating conduct.”
Quote 2: “The form of a human being has to comply with the conduct taught by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Conduct is not simply a matter of having a nose and eyes and being able to move. This relates to the term “consciousness” that I mentioned earlier. A person’s consciousness, a person’s thinking, must accord with the teachings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Only then can a person be considered a Buddhist cultivator.”
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