Venerable,

Culling the traditional meaning of Pali word from the Commentaries is usually the easy part. The difficulty is thinking of a suitable expression that would best convey the sense. Otherwise translation is just a matter of looking
up the Commentaries which are not always right or accurate anyway, since it reflects the views and ambience of a certain place and time past.

But thanks for the suggestion. This website is getting more interesting.

Sukhi.

P.



Kumaara Bhikkhu wrote:

> Piya,
>
> 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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