Bhante Pesala & Paliyanussarii,

Dh 97 is a fascinating verse, indeed. It should be studied with the Pubba,ko.t.thaka
Sutta, "On the Eastern Gatehouse" (S 48.44/5:220-222), which probably had the same
verse but was somehow lost. We know this because the Mahaa Niddesa (Nm 235-237),
explaining "na saddho na virajjati" (Puraabheda Sutta, Sn 853, cf Sn 813) quotes the
Pubba,ko.t.thaka Sutta concluding with quoting Dh 97.

This is what KR Norman says: see "Dhammapada 97: a misunderstood paradox" (Indologica
Taurinensia 7 1979:325-331, repr "Collected Papers vol 2" Oxford: PTS, 1991:187-193
(ch 46)).

It is possible however that the Nm 237 quote is just that, a quote, and not a part of
the Pubba,ko.t.thaka Sutta. However, a comparison with the Samyukt'aagama (Chinese
tr) would help.

This verse is connected to Sariputta's liberation which is not based on faith (not
amuulika saddhaa, anyway), ie not "saddhati," taking someone's word for it, but
through his self-realization, ie wisdom.

"Akata~n~nuu" here is a 'sle.sa (wordplay) (see Radhakrishnan, Dhammapada tr,
1950:92), besides meaning "ungrateful" it also means na kata ~nuu (remarkable
wordplay!), ie "knowing the uncreated (ie Nirvana)."

"Sandhi-c,cheda," cutting off the connection, ie breaking off the re-connection of
rebirth.

"Hat^avakaasa" is interpreted by Norman as "one who has got rid of occasions (for
quarrels, etc)" or "rid of opportunities (for rebirth)."

"Vantaasa" can be rendered (following PED) as "one who has abandoned desire"
(Norman).

Here we have the Buddha (or some ancient Buddhist bha.naka or sa.ngiitikaara or poet)
showing his profound humour. That's why the Buddha image always smiles!

Please read Norman's article for the full meal of Pali delight.

This is one of those occasions when we should reflect Gombrich's remark during his
Jan 2003 interview about the Buddha's genius, unknown or disregarded by many (most?)
Buddhists:

"I believe that the Buddha was an intellectual genius and had some extraordinarily
interesting things to say. This is something that most Buddhists simply don't take
any interest in." (Gombrich, Jan 2003)

I had an opportunity to personally meet KR Norman briefly during one of Lewis
Lancaster's Buddhist seminars in Berkeley in the early 1990s. Norman is a remarkable
philologist (although not a "Buddhist") who has shed so much light over Pali.

Sukhi

Piya

------------------------------

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:

> This Dhammapada verse is fascinating.
> Most of the words have double meanings.
> I could use some help. What do you make of it?
>
> Assaddho akatauu ca, sandhicchedo ca yo naro
> Hataavakaaso vantaso, sa ve uttamaporiso.
>
> "The faithless and ungrateful murderer
> has ruined his future and eats vomit
> he is indeed an excellent man."
>
> or the positive meaning:
>
> "Not credulous, knowing the uncreate, having cut off rebirth
> and destroyed all results, having ejected all desires
> he is indeed an excellent man."
>
>
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