黄茂林《坛经》英译的历史语境与传播

Historical Context and Dissemination of the English Translation of Platform Sutra by Wong Mou-Lam

在历史上黄茂林首次把禅宗最重要的典籍《坛经》以英语译出。这既有其自身对佛教的虔诚及勤奋努力的原因,也与当时上海地区浓厚的佛教氛围有很大关系,还与狄平子的敦促赞助有极大关系。该译本的影响主要在于面向英语大众的宗教传播,此传播通过不同出版社的多次重印,尤其是戈达德和韩福瑞分别进行的修订与再版而实现。黄茂林《坛经》英译尽管不完美,但时代因素及修订后再版的传播形式依然让译作产生了巨大影响,证实了赞助人狄平子的现实主义翻译观念的合理性。

Thanks to his qualities and the social Buddhist atmosphere,Wong Mou-Lam unprecedentedly translated The Platform Sutra into English.It is found out that the influence of this translation lies in the religious spread among the English public,which was realized by repeated republications,especially by those of Goddard and Humphreys in revised editions.Although it is not perfect,Wong's translation was rendered influential by the particular times and reception means,verifying the realistic view on translation held by his patron Dih Ping Tsze.