Sarah Harding – Tsadra Conferences

Women’s Voices in Tibetan Texts

Gwen Witt Dorring — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:09:58 +0000

Opening Keynote Dialogue

Gwen Witt Dorring — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:09:57 +0000

Uncontrived Elegance in Tibetan Songs

Migmar Lama — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 08:17:08 +0000

John Canti (Padmakara, 84000) and Sarah Harding (Tsadra Foundation) explore “uncontrived elegance” in poetry and song in Tibetan literature. Compared to the purportedly spontaneous composition of the original, is a translation ever uncontrived? John draws on examples from Dudjom Lingpa and Shabkar to illustrate the possibilities of translation and the evocative dimensions that can be expressed based on the source literature. Sarah suggests that a smooth, readable translation, facilitating ease of comprehension, may be the best we can do. After a lively discussion, Sarah leads the group in translating a short line of text to illustrate their points.

Reflections on the Translation Process

Migmar Lama — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 08:09:37 +0000

Jules Levinson (Independent), John Canti (Padmakara, 84000), Dominique Townsend (Bard), Lama Jabb (Oxford), Sarah Harding (Tsadra Foundation), and Nancy Lin (84000) share their reflections about the process of oral and written translation from some of the first instances of Tibetan language being rendered into English in the United States through the first Lotsawa Translation Workshop in 2018. The discussion weaves through topics like facing the fear of “imposter syndrome” as part of the process of translation, the importance of “kindness to the reader”, and how translators relate to the concept of form. The speakers create a gentle, encouraging, and humorous tone, which appropriately reflects the mood of the entire first Lotsawa Translation Workshop on its final morning.

Translations in Transmission

Marcus Perman — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 04:40:58 +0000

In this panel a diverse group of experienced practitioner/scholar/translators discuss the idea of transmission and the use of translations in the transmission process. Sarah Harding discusses the many complications of language that have entered into our understanding of “transmission,” and suggests that we make clearer what we mean when we talk about transmission and limit ourselves to things we can actually talk about. Ringu Tulku presents the meaning of “transmission,” in the context of this conference, as being about the whole system of study and practice. He highlights the importance of khrid over and above dbang and lung. He says that translation itself is transmission and translators are transmitters and makes note of a quote he remembered reading: “*Translation at its best is like the other side of the brocade, all the thread, but no design*.” Yeshe Gyamtso (Peter O’Hearn) shared his feelings and eloquent thoughts on transmission and translation having been primarily an oral translator and shifting over to being focused on written translation. He makes important note of Wittgenstein’s idea about meaning coming from usefulness, and the importance of choosing terms that touch the heart of the reader. He says that what translators need is not only competence, but love: Love of the language(s), love of the meaning, and love of the reader. Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo presents a series of questions and some of the visual tools and teaching techniques that she uses when teaching to different kinds of students in schools around the world. She asks: What is the relevance of transmitting ancient Buddhist texts in our current age? How can we transmit the dharma in appealing and relevant, yet authentic and educational ways? What are our responsibilities as individuals and organizations in this transmission process? How can we be sure that authentic Buddhadharma will survive in the modern world?

Translation: Theory and Praxis

Marcus Perman — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 03:16:50 +0000

In this first plenary panel of the 2014 conference, Translation: Theory & Praxis, Thupten Jinpa shares a bit about what Tibetans themselves have thought about and written about translation. Roger Jackson discusses some of the projects he has worked on over the years and gives examples of the problems that translators face. Sarah Harding delves into problems of intention and layers of interpretation, as well as the importance of translation and translators.

Translating Spiritual Instructions

Marcus Perman — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 02:44:54 +0000

This workshop highlights the complex and nuanced process of translation and interpretation of key terms for spiritual instructions. Sangye Khandro presents examples of upadeśa, or spiritual instructions, so that the audience may reflect upon the importance of the translator’s expert status and the necessity of working closely with lineage masters to accomplish translation work. Peter Alan Roberts shares advice he wishes he could have shared with his younger self relating to the translation of oral instructions, and Sarah Harding speaks on the differences of translation choice between gdams ngag, man ngag, and zhal gdams, and challenges the publishing of such instructions for a wide readership.