FC> bodhi-pakkhiya-dhamma is usually translated as Wings to Awakening,
FC> making the word dhamma somewhat implicit. I've found that pakkha
FC> means "wing" or "adherent, associated with", among other meanings.
In the PED 'pakkhiya' means strictly 'siding with, associating with';
'part, side'.
In Monier-Williams dictionary we read:
'pak.siiya' - taking the side or party of, siding with (comp.).
Whence are those 'wings'?
In Anguttara Nikaya 9.1. there is a term 'sambodhipakkhikaana.m
dhammaana.m', however 'pakkhika' means the same 'contributing to,
leading to, associated with, siding with'.
Monier-Williams:
'pak.sya' - siding or taking part with.
FC> Considering that it is a list of "the Buddha's own list of his
FC> most important teachings" and taking this second meaning of
FC> pakkha, I think bodhi-pakkhiya-dhamma would rather be translated
FC> as something like "teachings associated with enlightment" or
FC> "awakening-related teachings".
I would suggest 'mental qualities siding with enlightenment'.
FC> However, I have never found this rendering before. Is there any
FC> simile where these teachings are explicitly refered to as wings,
FC> or maybe the common rendering is something not really meant in the
FC> original expression?
'Pakkhiya' and 'pakkhika' are adjectives, and can't represent a noun.
Will we translate 'muugapakkhikaa' or even 'muugapakkho' as 'wing of
deafness?
The term 'bodhipakkha' is found four times in three late commentarial
works. 'Ta.nhaapakkha' and 'di.t.thipakkha' are also a later
invention.