Interdisciplinary Translation: A New Framework for Integrating Asian Studies

This paper introduces the concept of interdisciplinary translation as a pioneering approach that integrates knowledge and methodologies from multiple disciplines to enhance the translation of texts and ideas across cultural and academic boundaries. With the goal of being the first wide-ranging exploration of this emerging field, Part I of the paper provides an outline of suggested theoretical foundations and ethical considerations of interdisciplinary translation, with a particular focus on its relevance to Asian Studies. Part II of the paper takes as example, English translations of Kūkai's seminal work Himitsu Mandara Jūjūshinron (Mysterious Mandala of Ten Abodes of Mind) from Classical Chinese and modern Japanese sources.