Abhihatthum

Dear Ole,

A change of agent would indeed seem strange. In this sense
abhihatthu.mpavaareyya would mean ''should
invite to receive (as much as he likes)''. Judging from the context and
Padabhaajana, the expression appears to carry an idiomatic meaning.

In Sanskrit */abhiharati/* can have the meaning ''removes'' and ''carries
off'' (besides ''brings near'') and maybe what is intended is that the
monk himself takes/removes food from a tray of food (or a heap of
robe-cloth) in the hands of a layperson. This often happens when going
on alms or at a daana. Maybe simply ''should invite to take (as much as
he likes)'' will be the best translation.

This being said, how does one explain the instrumental in the Vinaya rule:
''bahuuhi ciivarehi abhiha.t.thu.m pavaareyya.'' If abhiha.t.thu.m would
have the meaning of ''to take'' or ''to receive'', wouldn't one expect an
accusative instead of an instrumental?

By the way, how can the Sanskrit word have two opposing meanings, i.e.,
''brings near'' and ''takes away''?

Have you been able to find out more about the Cullanirutti and its author?

Kind regards,
                            Bh. Nyanatusita


Ole Holten Pind wrote:

Dear Bhante,

I have had a close look at the old comment at Vin IV 82. It seems to me that

it would corroborate my suspicion. The commentary addresses the meaning of
pavaarito i.e. a monk who has been invited to an upaasaka's home for an alms

meal. The commentator appears to understand the phrase hatthapaase .thito
abhiharati as referring to the upaasaka. However, this sudden change of
agent is remarkable because we would then have to assume that .thito refers
to the posture of the upaasaka. I find that unlikely. It must refer, I
think, to the monk who takes (abhiharati) i.e. receives the meal hatthapaase

.thito. The CPD records abhiharati in the sense to receive.
Best wishes,

Ole Pind



<Yes, it makes good sense, but the understanding of the early tradition of
abhiharati does not seem to support it. The passage I quoted from the
Vibhanga is an early commentary.

Regards,
Bh. Nyanatusita>


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