James Baquet

    jamesbaquet@gmail.com

    TWO Chinese characters are commonly seen when visiting temples in China. One is the character for Chan (Zen), usually seen on a banner in front of the Chan hall. The other is the character for Buddha. Let’s look at that today.

    First we need to know this: When the Chinese language borrows from others, there are two common strategies. One is to translate the idea, as when “computer” becomes “diannao” (electric brain). The other is transliteration, an adaptation of the sound of words, as when “chocolate” became “qiaokeli.”

    Sometimes, the strategies are combined: Can you guess who “Gaga Xiaojie” is?

    When Buddhism immigrated to China from Tibet, lots of adapting took place. The character was originally seen in a combination, “fotuo,” but now we usually use the first character alone. This “佛” is made up of two elements: the meaning person (on the left) and the sound fo or fu (on the right).

    Interestingly, as a stand-alone character “弗” means “not.” Could the originators of the character have been thinking that Buddha was not — or more than — a man?

    This brings to mind the story of when a Brahman (member of the Indian priestly cast) asked the Buddha, “Are you a major god?” The Buddha said no. “Are you a celestial musician?” No. “A minor god?” No. “Are you then a human being?” No, said the Buddha. “Then what are you?”

    The Buddha replied, “I am awake” (or, perhaps, “I am the Buddha”).

    A Chinese character is more “immediate” than the alphabet — which merely spells out sounds — so in a way the character 佛 is the Buddha as much as any statue.