[Buddha-l] Re: Attan.com

[Bruce Burrill]

"The attan is the highest refuge to which I have gone. It is for me 
the light, the sanctuary, that highest end, goal and destiny. It is 
immeasurable, matchless, that which I really am, the very treasure 
[which I sought]; it is like my very breath, this vital animator." - 
Khuddaka Nikaya, Jatakapali 1441

This is Ken Wheeler's "translation," show a text that talks about the 
truly true self.

And here is the passage in context with an appropriate tranlation

Then the king bade Punnaka to claim his prize with the following 
verse: "Elephants, oxen, horses, jewels and earrings, whatever gems I 
have in the earth. Take the best of wealth, 0 Kaccana, take it and go 
where you wish."

Punnaka answered: "Elephants, oxen, horses, jewels and earrings, 
whatever gems thou hast in the earth, Vidhura the minister is the 
best of them all. He has been won by me, pay him down to me."

[1441] "He is my minister, my refuge and help, my shelter, my 
fortress and my defense," replied the king. "That minister of mine is 
not to be weighed against wealth. That minister of mine is like unto my life."

Punnaka answered: "To avoid a long contest between you and I, let us 
go to the sage and ask him what he wishes. Let him decide this matter 
between us, and allow what he determines to be the judgment of us both."

This is typical of Wheeler's "translations."


Wheeler takes stuff out of context and has no understand of Pali grammar.