Bô Yin Râ in English:
The translations compared
The text below has been written by the Dutch initiator of this site. It talks in metaphors and examples about existing translation into English (of which there are few, however two main ones are by Kober Press (U.S.) and the Books to Light (U.S.) which is continuing the legacy of the Posthumus Projects (the Netherlands). Both main translations in a way complement each other and provide Readers with a better understanding via less or more literal translation. The previously used names for these two translations: 'Standard Translation' and 'Authorized/Endorsed translation' are being slowly replaced on this site and in the books by Books to Light to 'Posthumus Projects' and 'Kober Press' translations respectively, to be more factually and etymologically correct.
Amongst Bô Yin Râ's spiritual paintings, although not belonging to the Hortus Conclusus, we find the “Temple of Eternity”. – –
The Temple of Eternity reflects the structure and the laws and the hierarchy of eternal life. In all his works Bô Yin Râ points man towards this life, teaches him how to achieve this and what his position can be therein.
This Temple, its construction, its working and its illumination, is outlined in the book More Light in the chapters The Architects of the Cathedral of Humanity." (pdf pages 52-89 of the 1st Edition by Books to Light) and The Secret of the Ancient Cathedral Building Works." (pdf pages 224-241 of the 1st Edition).
Man has endeavored to shape the spiritual in the earthly, thus "the Gothic cathedral is the most perfect image of this hierarchical cosmic order." (More Light, pdf page 70 of the 1st Edition)
As the translator makes the words of Bô Yin Râ accessible in a different realm just like the cathedral makes spiritual life accessible on earth, the translator works, so to speak, on behalf of Bô Yin Râ and the image he creates of the Original German Books should be as perfect as the image of the spirit represented by the Gothic cathedral.
Noteworthy are, as example, the following additions as well as omissions:
Original German
*(1) “All suns burn in the same light!
*(2) He who was burned by the sun is united with all suns.–
*(3) You do not know whose sun's light shines in my light!
*(4) Do not set limits to arbitrariness!
*(5) In the light, all arbitrary boundaries disappear.–
*(6) Seek the light in the suns and the suns in their light!
*(7) Love a little of the light in all the radiance, – you seeker!
'Posthumus Projects Translation':
*(1) “All suns burn in the same light!
*(2) Whoever is burned up into sun is united with all suns. –
*(3) You know not which sun's light enlightens you in my light!
*(4) Do not set arbitrary limits!
*(5) All arbitrary limits disappear in the light. –
*(6) Seek the light in the suns and the suns in their light!
*(7) Love a little the light in all radiance, – you who seek!”
'Kober Press Translation':
*(1) “The SPIRIT'S suns all burn within the same primordial light.
*(2) A self whom fire has transformed into a sun is thus made one with all the other suns and their eternal light.
*(3) You do not know the suns whose light my words shed on your path.
*(4) Let not your willing mind draw arbitrary limits!
*(5) All imagined limits vanish in the Spirit's light.
*(6) Seek the light embodied in the suns, and in that light search for the suns themselves!
*(7) As a seeker after truth, behold with love, at least a little, the light you see reflected in all radiance.”
All these frills guide the reader merely along the lines of the comprehension of the translator instead of providing a clear and clean translation of Bô Yin Râ for the reader to base himself on.
It goes without saying that it is of no importance to add countless additional examples since the purpose of this website is to make the unprepared readers aware of the importance of their choice. The 'authorized/endorsed translation' is definitely enchanting, but alas, possibly misleading the mind not yet familiar with Bô Yin Râ 's teachings to a particular extent.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For their continuing generous support I am gratefully indebted to Deutsche Bô Yin Râ – Stiftung Giessen, Germany.
Again for her careful readings and many thoughtful suggestions I express my thanks to Alice Glawe. Taco van der Plaats