Words:
kasmaa: why
aarabhati: to begin.
dassana.m: the seeing, explanation
kaara.na: the reason
akaara.na: with the absence of a reason, condition.
he.t.thaa`; below, before
taadibhaava: of such nature (of the arahat)
ucca: high, noble
kula: clan, family
pasuta: engaged in (belonging to)
bahussuto: who has heard much
laabhii: who has possessions
mahaamaato: minister
bhajati: associate with
homi, from hoti, meaning: I am.
koci: whoever
desanaa: teaching, discourse.
dasseti: to show, explain
As to the phrase, mettaa raahulaa, (develop loving kindness, Rahula) why did
he begin (with these words)? In order to explain the condition for ³such
nature² (of the arahat).
he.t.thaa hi taadibhaavalakkha.na.m dassita.m,
Before, the characteristic of ³such nature² was explained,
na ca sakkaa aha.m taadii homiiti akaara.naa bhavitu.m,
and it is not possible to develop ³I am of such nature² when there is no
condition for it;
napi ``aha.m uccaakulappasuto bahussuto laabhii,
nor when one thinks, ³I am belonging to a noble family, I have heard much
and I am wealthy,
ma.m raajaraajamahaamattaadayo bhajanti, aha.m taadii homii''ti
the king , his ministers and so on associate with me²,
imehi kaara.nehi koci taadii naama hoti,
someone cannot call himself ³of such nature² because of these reasons .
mettaadibhaavanaaya pana hotiiti
However, one can be ³of such nature² by the development of loving-kindness
and so on.
Therefore, the Buddha began this teaching (of mettå) in order to explain the
reason for being of ³such nature².
English:
As to the phrase, mettaa raahulaa, (develop loving kindness, Rahula) why did
he begin (with these words)?
In order to explain the condition for ³I am of such nature² (of the arahat).
Before, the characteristic of ³such nature² was explained,
and is not possible to develop ³I am of such nature² when there is no
condition for it; nor when one thinks, ³I am belonging to a noble family, I
have heard much and I am wealthy, the king, his ministers and so on
associate with me²,
someone cannot call himself ³of such nature² because of these reasons.
However, one can be ³of such nature² by the development of loving-kindness
and so on.
Therefore, the Buddha began this teaching (of mettå) in order to explain the
reason for being of ³such nature².
****
Nina.