On Sun, 25 Aug 2002 17:42:07 +0800, I wrote:
>... "mogha" has been commonly rendered as "foolish" or "misguided". The commentaries usually gloss "moghapurisaa" as "tucchapurisaa". Not much help since the dictionaries define "tuccha" as "empty, vain, deserted".
>
>The A.t.thakanipaata-a.t.thakathaa, glossed "moghapurisaa" as "muu.lhapurisaa tucchapurisaa". "Muu.lha" is a pp. of muyhati, which means "to be perplexed, bewildered".
>
>So, "moghapurisaa" seems to mean people who are "empty of wisdom", in that he is perplexed, bewildered. I think "mindless people" serve well as a translation. Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi translates it as "senseless people" (in CBD).
Presently, I think somewhat divided between "senseless" and "mindless". To me, it's a case of being *empty* of good sense. I suggest you look up a contemporary dictionary for their detailed meanings.
KB
At 10:12 AM 09-01-03, you wrote:
>Dear Pali friends,
>
>I'm in the midst of translating the Alaggaddupama Sutta, and pondering over
>what is the best English idiom for "mogha,purisa".
>
>"Empty person" is too literal.
>"Hollow man" (after Joyce) is beautifully poetic but inapplicable in the
>English context here.
>I'm provisionally using "Vain person" while waiting for any better suggestions.
>
>Sukhi.
>
>Piya.
>
>
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