Finally, the revised translation and annotations of the Maha Satipatthana
Sutta is ready thanks to John Kelly's proof-checking. I find it useful to
be relaxed with words and not to be pedantically technical when trying to
understand and transmit the Buddha's word.
For example, originally I touch the Pali phassa is best translated as the
uncountable English "touch" rather than the awkward "tangibles", etc. John
suggested "touches" taking it as a countable. Although this may be somewhat
awkward, too, but it is less awkward than "tangibles". Words often assume
new meanings meanings in Buddhism, esp when used by the Buddha (see
Norman's article on "A Note on Attaa in the Alagadduupamaa Sutta", for
example).
I've also completed retranslating a delightful sutta entitled
(Uggata,sariira) Aggi Sutta (A 4.44). I've added the prename of the
interlocutor to distinguish it from a number of other Aggi Suttas. This is
discussed in:
Gombrich, Richard (1987a) "Recovering the Message of the Buddha."
[7th World Sanskrit Conference, Leiden, Aug 1987. David Seyfort Ruegg &
Lambert Schmithausen, Earliest Buddhism and Madhyamaka, Leiden: EJ Brill,
1990.] In The Buddhist Forum vol 1 seminar papers 1987-88, ed Tadeusz
Skorupski, London: Univ of London (SOAS), 1990:5-20.
His paper also discusses how the Buddha adapted words from the older
religions. it would help scholars and translators to be aware of this
special genius of the Buddha.
BTW if anyone wants this new annotated translation, please email me.