Form Stephen Hung:
According to many Chinese language experts, mainlander scholars
included (those who are courageous to speak out), thesimplified Chinese
is a MISTAKE.
The mistake is not about the simplification idea itself. It's about how
it has been simplified. Traditional Chinese writing is based on "xiang
xing 象形" (symbols). While many of these simplified versions may seem
easy to write, but they are confusing if not misleading in many
circumstances as some common "bu shou 部首" (the key part of a word) may
carry completely different meanings. Another hidden problem is, many
embedded Chinese culture will be "lost in translation"(read
over-simplification) and the future
generations (should I say, NOW?) will never be able to understand or appreciate them any more.
Pushing to eliminate the traditional Chinese is a more serious MISTAKE
than adopting the simplified version as supported by a regime which has
just been in power for about 50+ yrs in a civilization which dates back
a few thousand years of history (of which none of the dynasties banned
a certain style of writing)!
If the motivation is about politics, then it's a serious CRIME.
Stephen
(A die-hard traditional Chinese user)
Re: 聯合國將於2008年廢除繁體中文- Say No to the United Nations' abolishment
I personally think this kind of topic is not appropriate for posting in 'Huayen in daily life', since it has nothing to do with our Huayen study, or personal 'enlightment' or feeling or experiance in our daily life. (I am not conmplaining at the author here:)) Especially, it touches a little with 'ugly' politics.
Therefore, I suggest this post be deleted. Please reply with your opinion of agree or disagree. If more people agree, the administrator will delete this post.
Let's keep our forum a pureland for Huayen study and exchange. (Again, I am not saying this is a bad post or pollute our forum, I am just saying this topic is beyond our goal.)
BTW, I personally strongly oppose to eliminating Traditional Chinese, even though I am using Simplified Chinese.
Re: 聯合國將於2008年廢除繁體中文- Say No to the United Nations' abolishment
I totally disagree with Derek.
I suggest the site master post a statement that the expression of the author does not reflect the opinion or standpoint of the website or organization.
Tradition Chinese is not only part of the Chinese culture but plays a substantial role in the development of Chinese Buddhism. Many of the Chinese Traditional Characters have such profound meaning in Buddhism that there are no equivalents in any other languages let alone the Simplified Chinese Characters.
If one thinks that this issue have nothing to do with Huayen study, or personal 'enlightenment' or feeling or experience in our daily life, may I ask what else is relevant? The language that we use is the tool for the manifestation of the Truth.
If daily life is only about “talks” / theory / feelings & emotions, then we are living in books or fairy tales.
I disagree with Derek
Wow, I cannot believe how norrow-minded our scope of Huayen studies is.
If Derek's opionion represents the standpoint of this website, I am the first one to withdraw my membership.
PERSONAL statements from Derek
(1) If my previous reply brought any confusion (or even unhappy) to anybody, I am sorry for this.
(2) Just as I mentioned in that reply, that's my personal opinion. Therefore, even though I am the admin of this site, I do not have the right to delete or keep this post (this is why I login to reply this post using 'Derek' instead of 'Admin'). For this reason, I ask you to dermine. If you think it is OK, we will keep this post.
(3) I am the webmaster of Huayen site, but that does not mean I am the owner of this site. Huayen website belongs to all HYBC-NA members, not of 'Derek'. I am just one of members working on this project. So, my opinion (more precisely, the opinion of Derek) does not represent the opinion of huayen.org. I am mainly responsible for technical maintainance of this site, and do not have the rights to control this site. Please note: I always make clear distinction of login between 'Derek' and 'Admin'.
(4) If you are unhappy with Derek's post, please do not extend your complaint to Huayen website. If your unhappy with my post lead to so-called 'membership withdraw' from huayen.org, I have to say 'it's up to you'.
(5) Let's be more patient and cherishing toward huayen.org. We should express our appreciation to Eva, TLC, 仁恩小师妹.....for their valuable contributions to this site. If there are problems of the site, let's try to solve the problems instead of irresponsible complaints.
-Derek
Re: 廢除繁體中文- Say No to abolishment of Tradition Chinese
Over time numerous buddhist texts and sutras in many languages were destroyed. Case and point - buddhism is almost nonexistent in India. However some precious dharma writings are preserves only in the chinese language but have not yet been translated into other languages. The deep meanings are preserved in traditional chinese characters. Such deep meanings will be entirely out of context and lost in simplified chinese. Simplified chinese can only be as meanful as the translator's own interpretation and understanding. But the traditional chinese character can convey much more than the translator's own interpretation. Simplified chinese would not only loose the original meanings but deprive proper translation into other languages and deprive future generations from ever rediscovering the original teachings of the buddha. As buddhist this issue should be of grave concern. My use of the word "grave" is an example of how a pictoral word conveys deeper meaning.
Life is about enriching quality, not about aimless speed. Simplified chinese is not efficient when the original deep meaning is not conveyed. Thus the argument for simplified chinese is expedient is invalid. Simplified chinese can only be expedient for shallow meanings.