Derek Cameron wrote:

> I don't often look at verse, but a discussion on another list,
> together with the fact that I believe you've published a translation
> of the Udaana, prompted me to start.
>
> Sabbakammajahassa bhikkhuno - ` - ` ` - ` - ` -
> dhunamaanassa pure kata.m raja.m ` ` - - ` ` - ` - ` -
> amamassa .thitassa taadino ` ` - ` ` - ` - ` -
> attho natthi jana.m lapetave - - - ` ` - ` - ` -
>
> For a monk giving up all action,
> Shaking off the formerly-made dust;
> Unselfish; abiding; of such quality;
> There is no advantage in talking to people.
>
> I don't know if your translation would answer these kinds of
> questions, but here goes:
>
> (1) What is the meter? I can't match it with any of those in Warder's
> Introduction to Pali

Metre is not my strong point; but you would be better to check Warder's Pali Metre,
rather than his Introduction to Pali.

>
> (2) Can we draw any conclusions from use of the ending -uno rather
> than -ussa, or is it just to fit the meter?

No; bhikkhuno is much more common than bhikkhussa.

>
> (3) Likewise, can we draw any conclusions as to relative earliness
> from the use of the infinitive in -ave?

No; if I tell thee, forsoooth, that archaisms may be genuine, or can be introduced
on purpose if the author wishes to make something appear older than it is, this does
not mean email was alive and well in Shakespearean England.

>
>
> (4) Finally, the sentiment (abandoning action, not creating any new
> kamma) doesn't seem to be particularly "Buddhist" -- or does it?

Of course the non-creation of further karma is Buddhist, for how else would you ever
get off the wheel of sa.msaara ? The problem is twofold: to get rid of any old
karma already accumulated, and to prevent making any further karma. It was, in
fact, this question that led me to write my Divine Revelation in Pali Buddhism
which, is essentially a study of the ariyasa"ngha, third of the three jewels to
which modern Buddhists daily go as refuge, and whose members are well on the way to
achieving this, if they have not already.


Here is my translation of the verse in question:

"For the monk who has given up all kamma, who is shaking off dust created earlier,
for that one with none of 'mine', steadfast, constant, there is no need to address
folk".

The commentary explains as follows:

Who has given up all kamma (sabbakammajahassa): who has abandoned all kamma; for
onwards from the time of the arising of the topmost path, all deeds, both skilled
and unskilled, are said to be abandoned for the arahant, on account of their being
incapable of giving relinking, due to which knowledge associated with the ariyan
path is called "that which effects the destruction of kamma". For the monk
(bhikkhuno): for the (one who is a) monk through being one in whom the defilements
have been broken up (bhinnakilesatåya). Who is shaking off dust created earlier
(dhunamånassa purekataµ rajaµ): who is shaking off, who is shattering, by way of
experiencing its ripening, that kamma that is to be experienced as dukkha, that was
created previous to the attainment of arahantship, (and) that has acquired the name
"dust" on account of the fact that it is mixed with the dusts of lust and so on;
whereas after the attainment of arahantship, there is no generation whatsoever of
blameable activity, whilst blameless activity is, on account of the root of becoming
having been extirpated, merely and solely (kammically) neutral, due to the absence
of any capability to give fruition, like a flower whose root has been extirpated.
For that one with none of "mine" (amamassa): for that one with none of "mine", for
that one in whom mine-making is absent, due to the absence of seizing upon
(anything) as "mine" anywhere amidst material form and so on. For he for whom there
is mine-making causes his body, through affection for self, to be taken care of by
physicians and so on; whereas the arahant is one with none of "mine"—therefore he is
by nature indifferent even as regards taking care of the body. Steadfast
(.thitassa): steadfast on the high ground that is nibbåna, having crossed the
fourfold flood; or alternatively steadfast due to the absence of racing on by way of
seizing relinking. For sekhas and puthujjanas are said to run on in sa.msaara by
way of falling and relinking on account of their not having abandoned the
defilements and accumulations; whereas the arahant is spoken of as “steadfast” due
to the absence thereof. Or else, for that one steadfast in the Dhamma of the
Ariyans reckoned as the tenfold (powers of) those in whom the åsavas have been
destroyed. Constant (tådino): constant on account of his constant state, reckoned
as that state of being one and the same, where that which is desirable and so on is
concerned, through being endowed with the fivefold ariyan potency spoken of after
the manner of "[How] does he dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive ?"
(P.ts ii 212, quoted Vism 382) and so forth and with the six-limbed equanimity38
which is incapable of being shaken by the eight worldly dhammas. There is no need
to address folk (attho n' atthi janaµ lapetave): there is no business (such as) to
address (lapituµ, alternative grammatical form), to talk to, folk, saying "You
should treat me with medicines and so forth", on account of his disregard for the
body. For such is the disposition of those in whom the åsavas have been destroyed,
viz. “As with withered foliage, issued40 from its bond, may this body, all of its
own accord, be broken and collapse41. For there was said:

"I do not long for dying, I do not long for living; yet I look forward to my time,
as does a hireling his wages" (Thag 606 = 1003 = Miln 4544).

Or alternatively, the meaning is that for the one in whom the åsavas have been
destroyed there is no need to cause folk to address (lapetave) him saying "What does
the worthy one require ?" by indicating some sign, to cause them to address
(lapåpetuµ, alternative grammatical form) him by way of an invitation involving the
requisites, on account of the fact of wrong livelihood of such a kind (tådisassa)
having been completely rooted out by way of the path itself. Hence did the Lord
make manifest, to those wondering "For what (purpose) is this elder, who has failed
to have his ill health cured by physicians, seated not far from the Lord?", the
reason where his failure to have them cure him was concerned.

I apologise for not converting all the diacritics.

Peter Masefield.