Dear DC,

in fact, early European interpretations of Buddhism or eastern
thoughts go beyond translations of the Tipitaka. For example, Catholic
missionaries and travellers (long before the Reformation) have been
studying and presenting Eastern philosophy with a distorted and biased
view.

With the rise of interest in Indian studies, including the forming of
the Theosophical Society, in the last century, Indian thoughts and
beliefs became an alternative philosophical system to the West. That
includes Buddhism, which was then more properly and accurately
presented to the Western audience, but still not without
misinformation and misunderstanding.

It is only until recently when we see Western converts to Buddhism,
that the Buddha's teachings is better understood. However, many of
these converts, Sangha members and lay people alike, come from a
Judeo-Christian background. These include Jews, Catholics and
Protestants. Depending on how far one progresses in study and
practice, many will still exhibit and profess strands of Jewish or
Christian beliefs or thoughts. The same can be said of Asian
Buddhists with their differing and sometimes contrasting cultural and
social elements. In a multi-cultural society that we live in, this is
not only inevitable, it is acceptable. And it is not a waste of time,
as long as we allow free discussions and study to be conducted in an
open and mutually benefiting manner.

metta,
Yong Peng.

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, DC Wijeratna wrote:

Now one last word: All the translations that you have quoted are
Western Christian (theistic) interpretations. It is not possible to
express certain Buddhist concepts in English. I am sure that you know
Rhys Davids did not accept the kamma thoery or even the enlightenment
of the Buddha. About Thanissaro, there was in the DSG a very
interesting discussion; really, a total waste of time; on 'anattaa
strategy'-a theory of Thanissaro.