Re: Avyaya: Problem Particles

Hi Eisel,

> Re: Avyaya & Upasagga ...

Avyaya (invariable) is a term that encompasses two word-classes: the
upasagga (prefix) and the nipaata (indeclinable). These are two of the
four main classes of Pali words, the other two being the naama
(nominal word) and the aakhyaata (verb).

> I began compiling a list of all the avyaya & upasagga (Eng.
"particles")
> while riding my bicycle to Surin; the list now stands at 354
particles.

The nipaata class would be an open one with an indefinite number of
words including indeclinable compounds, words ending
in -tvaa, -tu.m, -to, and so on. The upasagga class on the other hand
is a closed one consisting of just 20 prefixes.

> Some of these _avyaya_ are more worthy of debate than others;
however, any
> feedback or observations on usage would very much be appreciated.
Several
> of these seem to lack an adequate definition in any (current)
lexical
> source; however, one may hope for the best with M. Cone's
forthcoming
> dictionary.

Vol. I (a-kh) of Cone's dictionary was published by PTS in 2001.

> NOTE: due to technological limitations, the anuswara ("nigganhita")
is > rendered with the symbol "&" below.

The niggahita can be written as ".m".

> Amutra In future (or: "in such and such a place"?)

Cone just gives: "there; in such and such a place; in that;..."

'Amutra' is derived from the pronoun 'amu' (yonder) plus the suffix
'tra' as in 'tatra', According to Kc 249 (tra tha sattamiyaa
sabbanaamehi) 'tra' is used like a 7th case ending. This means that
'amutra' and 'amuttha' are both equivalent to 'amusmi.m' in all the
uses of the locative including time and can also be used like a
locative plural, I think. So, a meaning like "in the distant future
(or past)" might be possible depending on the context. To substantiate
such a use of 'amutra' in this sense one would need to quote some
examples from the texts.

> Ettha Until (or: here?)

Ettha is 'here' but there is much more given by Cone including plural
uses. Before I go any further, I'd like to know your source for the
meaning 'until' as well as the 'in future' for the previous 'amutra'.
None of these are from Buddhadatta or Cone. It's important to have
reliable material to work with. The older PTS dictionary is accessible
online if you don't have a copy with you.

Jim

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