canonical text

“Enlightening beings who strengthen their commitment to enlightenment must do so by helping beings become committed to enlightenment. This state of mind is neither form nor perspective; such a Dharma is unattainable. Why? It is because beings are empty.”

1. Read over your work for the second, third, or more times. However, immediately after you finish translating may not be most helpful. Give it a day to a week, and after more meditating, before you re-read your draft translation. You will have changes you will want to make.

2. Get ready to be creative and focused. For the first draft, be ready to be a writer more than anything else. Don’t stop. Keep going. When you encounter a hurdle, enter the Chinese, add your questions, comments, and/or alternative translations. Come back to these later though -- during the review and editing stages.

Preparation before translating: 1. Meditate, access inherent nature of wisdom and compassion. Allow your inner guide to lead you to the right text and words. And meditate whenever you need some guidance and help anywhere along the way.