Abhayagiri and Lampang

navako wrote:

>>The Abhayagiri appears to be a hill or mountain
>>in or near the town of Pegu.
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>The one thought that has come to my mind in the course of this:
>"Why assume that 'Abhayagiri' is a literal mountain?"  Given that it is the
>name of an orthodox lineage, etc., it seems to me more likely that the
>references are simply to a place (such as a temple or sima-ground)
>associated with the "Abhayagiri" orthodoxy.  Again, the business about the
>banner/flag from the mountain, etc., seemed to me to make more sense as an
>abstract (rathern than literal) description.
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I am not sure that the monastery would be connected to the Sinhala
Abhayagiri monastery because, as far as I know, the Abhayagiri tradition
had disappeared by the time Theravaada was (re)introduced from Sri Lanka to
Burma. It seems to me to be referring to some kind of hill, maybe very
small in Pegu. Jim pointed out that the reading in pada c should be nago
, mountain, not nato.

The colophon states:
nadiipabbatavaapiihi cittehi parivaarito
nago  abhayagiriiti sabbadisaasu paaka.to.
Surrounded by beautiful rivers, mountains, and irrigation tanks,
the mountain (called) ``Abhayagiri (Fearless Mountain)'', famous in all
directions.



>I've read a few confusing Pali statements about "the banner" of Buddhist
>orthodoxy, being a figurative term for the robe, and suggesting the religion
>in general.
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As Jim pointed out: Lan''kato in pada c probably is an abbreviated form
of alan''kato. This makes much better sense: ``adorned with ...''

>This is a very shallow reply --I'm too busy with other nonsense, and I admit
>that I did not stare at the Pali very carefully.
>
>If my health recovers, I will depart for Lampang (i.e., Wat _Ta Ma O_) in a
>few days.  I will probably spend fully two days in transit before arriving
>there (crossing the Loei mountain range ... again).  If anyone has any
>current contacts there, I should perhaps send a note warning them before my
>arrival?  I will probably just write a note that says "Kaccayana" in Thai
>script, and hold it in front of my face until the monks take pity on me.
> 
>
Are you going to look at manuscripts? If so, put also Paatimokkha on the
note. Is this one of the monasteries Hinueber found old Lan Na manuscripts?

I am working on a digital file of Duroiselle's Pali Grammar for you.

>E.M.
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