Dear Robert and Connie,
r> Just wondering how you get 'pleasurable perceptual forms' out
r> of 'Subhanimitta.m', wouldn't simply 'pleasant forms' do?
As I understand, it is to be translated as "perceptual image of
attractiveness/beauty", or "perceptual attunement to
attractiveness/beauty". This attunement causes to arise
covetousness (lobha).
"Pleasurable forms" is a strange expression. It occurs in
the Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn35-207.html
where one reads with amazement that 'the uninstructed run-of-the-mill
person is thrashed in the eye by charming & pleasurable forms'.
If they are pleasurable (giving pleasure), then how it happens that
they trash the person?
The forms are just 'piyaruupa', i.e. seemingly pleasant, and the
relevant translation for:
assutavaa puthujjano cakkhusmi.m haññati manaapaamanaapehi ruupehi
is "the uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is thrashed in the eye by
the forms causing like and dislike".
Best wishes,
Dimitry