At 01:43 PM 02-07-05, Ong Yong Peng wrote:

>2. The name of Anguttara Nikaya (AN): I have been trying to
>understand the meaning of the title of this collection. Please
>correct me if I am wrong.
>
>anguttara = anga+uttara [Bahubbiihi]: incrementally factored.
>anga (n.) constituent, member, factor, part, item.
>uttara (adj.) higher, superior, upper, further.
>
>In this case, anguttara = numerically grouped.

Translating "anguttara" as "numerically grouped" seems rather forced, unless perhaps we take "anga" to be related to the Malay word "angka" which means "number". FYI, the Malay language derives much of its words from Sanskrit. But then again, "angka" is more likely to have come from "anka", which has "numerical figure" as one of its meaning. Hmm...

Then again, this may be one of those useless intellectual exercise.


peace

Kumâra Bhikkhu