At 10:31 24.03.2005 +0100, Rett wrote:

>Here's an example of a secular use of sara.na.m in Pali, taken from
>the mahaava.msa:
>
>vijitanagara.m naama sara.natthaaya paavisu.m
>(XXV, 19, c,d)
>
>"(they) entered the town Vijita for the sake of protection"
>
>'They' refers to a group of Dami.la-s whose companions have just been
>slaughtered, and who take shelter within a walled town.
>
>In a more idiomatic translation, 'took refuge in the town Vijita'
>would seem okay to me there.

Thank you. I appreciate the replies I have got.

I hope someone also can give some idea of the early Chinese translations as
well.

> >The standard English translation is of course "go for refuge", but some
> >people are not happy with the word "refuge".
>
>Could you expand on their objections to that word?

Some people feel that "refuge" denotes a rather passive attitude that does
not go so well with the Buddha's admonitions of actively applying energy
and diligence.

Best regards,

Kåre A. Lie
http://www.lienet.no/