Dear Nina

Thank you for drawing attention to this post. I beg your pardon for my
lateness. Wireless networks here have not recovered to date and an
extremely hot weather has restricted my trips to the nearest cyber-cafe.

You wrote:

>Onderwerp: [Pali] Re: Pali Day by Day 5/18/2005 [D161]
>
>Dear Yong Peng,
>Y.P.: please help on those with question marks. Thanks in advance.
>
>> di.t.thapubba = di.t.tha + pubba [???]
>> sutapubba = suta + pubba [???]
>>
>John: I admit I don't know the answer to what type of compounds these are. I only know they mean "seen before"and "heard before". I've been waiting for one of the Pali experts to jump in and enlighten us.
>
>

These are of a particular type of Tappurisa compounds. Their difference
from an ordinary Tappurisa is can be explained using some examples:
ara~n~avaasa (= living in the forest) In this example, "living" is the
primary sense of the whole compound; "In the forest" is only a
qualifier. Note that "vaasa" meaning "living" is the second member.
pacchaaratta (= the time after night) In this example, "the time after"
is the primary sense while "night" is only a qualifier. But "pacchaa"
meaning "the time after" is the first member.

Now "di.t.thapubba" and "sutapubba" belong to the latter type, and
should be literally translated as "(being) seen before" and "(being)
heard before" The first members of them, "di.t.tha" and "suta",
respectively carry the primary sense of each compound while the second
member "pubba" is only a qualifier.

>13. Aha.m khii.naasave vaa na di.t.thapubbo, satthudhamma.m vaa na sutapubbo.
>
> I / saints or / not seen before / teacher's doctrine or /not heard before
>
>I have never before seen saints or heard the doctrine of the teacher.
>
>

I think I don't agree with the format of this sentence itself. Why? Both
"di.t.thapubbo" and "sutapubbo" are main verbs, of which the primary
senses are denoted by their first members "di.t.tha" and "suta". Both of
them are Past Participle Passives denoting Passive voice. Accordingly,
the whole compounds must be viewed as passive verbs. The correct
sentence should be in passive voice as follows:

mayaa khii.naasavaa vaa na di.t.thapubbaa, satthudhammo vaa na sutapubbo.
(= Saints have never been seen, nor the doctrine of the Teacher heard,
by me)

with metta

Ven. Pandita


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