Dear Yong Peng,

op 30-12-2002 09:04 schreef Ong Yong Peng <ypong001@...> op
ypong001@...:

> I like your idea of referring to the commentary and subcommentary
> when doing the sutta translation.... It is really important. But I can't

really

> commit to it because I have never read any commentary before...
> However, if you can commit your time and knowledge, then yes, let's
> go ahead with it. What do you suggest we start with? Can you also
> provide some background on the commentaries and subcommentaries?

Nina: I feel I am dependent on the knowledge of experts here. For myself I
just started to read here and there parts of commentaries, struggling, but
it is very valuable, even when reading a little. I wonder whether
Buddhaghosa's Commentary to Mahaaraahulovaadasutta sutta, the
Papa~casuudanii, could be given here part by part. Or just some parts which
directly relate to the lines we are reading. If this is complicated I am
going to order the Pali text for myself and study it. I have the Thai
translation of the commentary to back me up. Meanwhile I could add some info
from this Thai co.
Historical background, this is more for those knowledgeable in history. See
Visuddhimagga, tr by Nyaa.namoli. Also: The Life and work of Buddhaghosa, by
B.C. Law, Pilgrims Books, Delhi, ISBN 81-7624-054-0. It is very good.
As to subcommentary, Tiika, Aacariya Dhammapaala, what little I read, I just
find very interesting and helpful.
I do not take much to history, I find it more convincing to read the texts.
Then we can see Buddhaghosa's devotion to preserving the integrity of the
teachings, his insistance on vipassanaa pa~n~naa, understanding the
khandhas, dhaatus, ayatanas.

I am sorry I cannot be of much help,
Nina.

P.S. For John and Gabriel: the prefix upa in upakilesa: in my Pali Thai
dictionary upa can mean: entering into . The dhamma by which one enters into
what is impure. Or the object that appears to the citta and conditions citta
to be impure with covetousness etc.