Friends:

Regarding rendering the word 'Sankhara' as 'Constructions'

Bhikkhu Nanamoli (Wheel 17):

"The Pali word sankhara (Sanskrit samskasa) means literally
'a construction' and is derived from the prefix sam (con)
plus the verb karoti (to do, to make); compare the Latin
'conficere' from con plus facere (to do), which gives
the French confection (a construction)."


So a suggestion for an enhanced translation of this tricky term is:

Sankharoti = to Construct
Sankhara = Construction
Sankhata = Constructed
Asankhata = Unconstructed


There are the activities of mental, verbal & physical construction.
Their results are mental, verbal & physical constructions.

Sankhaarakkhandha = The Cluster of Constructions:


Conceptual thoughts (internal talk) & speech
are verbal constructions (vacisankhara)

Feeling, perception, intentions & other mental properties
are mental constructions (citta/mano sankhara)

Breathing, metabolism & all movement of body are physical
or bodily constructions (kayasankhara)


However, all constructions are impermanent & transient.
Therefore are all constructions miserable & disappointing.
Safety is therefore only to be found in the Unconstructed
phase (Asankhata dhatu) = Nibbana

The most mystifying use of the term is within dependent co-arising.
Here the rendering 'construction' makes it slightly more logic;

Avijiaa-paccayaa sa.nkhaara:
On ignorance depends constructions.

Only when not knowing that all construction is misery
do the intention & the activity of construction arise.


Sa.nkhaara-paccayaa vi~n~naanam
On constructions depends consciousness:

Only when there have been constructed constructions
resultant in future sensual, fine-formed or formless
becoming do consciousness emerge at these levels.

This translation preserves all the co-notations that Sankhara:
That it is something made up, put together, invented, fabricated,
build & produced from parts of causes & conditions.
Cooked & created from ingredients. Is nothing apart from these.
That it is something that only exists so-long as these causes endure.
That it is something 'artificial' not possessing a genuine own substantial
or independent self-existent core nor ego.

IMHO slightly better that the usual renderings 'formation', 'synergies'
'fabrication', 'activities' 'preparations' and 'determinations'.

Secondly it provides consistency with the
renderings of the late Mrs. I. B. Horner.


Vayadhamma sa.nkhaara
Appamaadena sampaadetha
Since constructions disappear,
exert yourself thoroughly.

Sabbe sa.nkhaara anicca
All constructions are transient.

Sabbe sa.nkhaara dukkha
All constructions are miserable.


Sorry if this special notation of the
diacritics is wrong. Not used to that yet.

IMHO currently

: - ]



--
A saying of the Buddha from http://metta.lk/
Surely never by those vehicles would one go to the untrodden land (Nibbana),
as does one who is controlled through his subdued and well-trained self.
Random Dhammapada Verse 323