Peter Masefield wrote:
PM> Please note that putta is the usual Pali term for son. "Kumaara" usually denotes
PM> the son of a member of the k.satriya va.rna, just as maa.nava denotes the son of a
PM> member of the braahma.na va.rna. Moroever, since it was from the k.satriya va.rna
PM> that kings/rulers were usually drawn, kumaara can also denote a prince or an
PM> heir-apparent. And since we are told the Buddha could have become some kind of
PM> ruler had he not gone forth, and since Raahula was his son, the title
PM> "Raahulakumaara" could equally be taken as "the k.satriyan youth Raahula" or as
PM> "Prince Raahula".

Thank you very much!

As to the topic of our discussion, I recently found a relevant article
by Bhikkhu Bodhi at:
http://www.wisdompubs.org/books/disciples.html
in which the difference between 'putthujjana' and 'ariyasavaka' is
explained. I'm beginning to understand it.

Metta,
Dimitry