Udana: Exclamations – A Translation (2012) with an Introduction & Notes by Thanissaro Bhikku. The term Udana has two meanings, one denoting a vocal expression, the other a genre of text. As a vocal expression, it can be translated roughly as an “exclamation,” particularly an exclamation that’s spontaneous and inspired. As a genre of text, udana means a style of narrative in the Pali Canon developed in an effort to commit to memory the Buddha’s inspired exclamations. Udana’s focus on communicating values to revolutionise the heart and mind of the reader runs up against modern and postmodern attitudes toward finding meaning in a text. Download this new English translation here (149 pages/858 Kb):
What is Udana in buddhism?
In Buddhism, the term “Udana” refers to one of the books or collections in the Khuddaka Nikaya, which is part of the Sutta Pitaka in the Pali Canon. The Pali Canon is the primary scriptural canon in Theravada Buddhism.
“Udana” can be translated as “inspired utterances” or “exclamations.” The Udana is a compilation of 80 short discourses, each of which typically begins with an incident that inspires the Buddha to speak, followed by a verse uttered by the Buddha in response to the situation. These verses are spontaneous exclamations or expressions of joy, wonder, or insight.
The Udana contains some of the most famous and oft-quoted words of the Buddha. For example, the story of the Buddha’s “Lion’s Roar” in the face of a challenge and his declaration upon enlightenment (“Through the round of many births I roamed…”) are found in this collection.
These inspired utterances provide both doctrinal insights and a glimpse into the personality and expressiveness of the Buddha. They emphasise the experiential dimension of the Dharma and highlight moments of profound realisation, joy, and insight.