"So to substitute God for Deva is a little like exchanging apples for
oranges. However, to help the lay reader, I suppose it is a good idea to
have such words that are left untranslated introduced by a footnote or entry
in a glossary."
Hi,
this is the position I prefer, too. From getting acquainted with some pali
words readers may improve their understanding of the Dhamma. Still, we
should find proper translations if they exist.
"Yes. I always translate "bhikkhu." Do you need the word "Buddhist"?"
I did't made myself clear enough. In suttas I use only "monk", I specify
it more only when speaking to others without a context, so there is no way
for them to misunderstand it for something else.
"So, maybe "monk" is not the best translation for bhikkhu here [DN2], but
"mendicant" or some other word?"
I see this passage in another way. The Buddha is saying about the
benefits of sama~n~naphala, an so it's stated: "When he has thus gone forth,
he lives restrained by the rules of the monastic code (patimokkha), seeing
danger in the slightest faults. Consummate in his virtue, he guards the
doors of his senses, is possessed of mindfulness and alertness, and is
content." An that's all he says about him. This contentness is a clear and
direct consequence of his going forth and living as a samana.
The next section starts: "And how is a monk consummate in virtue?". Here
I do not see that "a monk" refers to the samana of the previous section. To
me, a bhikkhu is a specific kind of samana. Samana is anyone who dedicates
his/her life to the spiritual (ascetic) practice, and this includes, but is
not limited to monks. From this excerpt I do not conclude whether
"patimokkha" implies that he has ordained of not, but if the sutta doesn't
talk about just one person, it doesn't matter.