The Tibetan Translation of the Sadhanamala: A Rejoinder
Summary
In an earlier issue, a scholar criticised the Tibetan translation of the Sādhanamālā, a collection of Buddhist tantric texts, arguing that the Tibetan version contained numerous mistakes. This rejoinder defends the translators by pointing out that many alleged errors result from differences between Sanskrit manuscripts and the version used by the Tibetan translators. The author compares readings in the two extant siddhanas of the Sādhanamālā and shows that the Tibetan text often preserves an older or alternative reading. He also notes that some of the supposed mistranslations arise from the translators’ attempts to render technical terms into Tibetan equivalents that carry doctrinal nuances. The article concludes that while the Tibetan translation is not free from error, it provides valuable evidence for reconstructing the textual history of the Sādhanamālā and should be consulted alongside Sanskrit sources.
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Conclusion
The rejoinder argues that the Tibetan translation of the Sādhanamālā deserves more respect. Apparent mistakes often reflect the use of a different Sanskrit exemplar or conscious choices by translators, making the Tibetan version an important witness to the text’s history.