Re: Dakkhi.nodaka

Thanks for the explanation. It is interesting that this word only occurs
in the Pali commentaries, not in the Pali Canon itself. In the Pali
Canon water does not seem to have been used as a ceremonial gift to
monks. Perhaps this shows the Brahmanical influence on the ancient
Sinhalese Buddhist tradition. Unlike Thailand, I am not aware of water
pouring ceremonies here in Sri Lanka except the one to dedicate merit to
deceased relatives. Water sprinkling with blessed water is used in
exorcisms, but monks are normally not involved with these.
At present Brahmanical influences seem to be stronger on ceremonies in
Thailand. Perhaps this is so because there are brahmin astrologers at
the court. For example, the water sprinkling ceremony during which monks
sprinkle paritta water over laypeople and the house with a whisk while
chanting ''Jayanto Bodhiya muule...''  is not done in Sri Lanka. I am
not an expert in the ritual field but it seems to me to be derived from
Brahmanical and other fertility rituals. I remember that a Brahmin in
the village in Bali where I was visiting as a layman was doing a water
sprinkling ceremony to bless the villagers in relation to the rice harvest.
It is also interesting that the dakkhi.nodaka is, as far as I can see,
the only compound where dakkhi.na as first member does not mean ''right
side.'' There are no food items such as ''dakkhi.na-bhatta'' or
''dakkhi.na-odana,'' etc.
Regards,
               Bh. Nyanatusita

Ole Holten Pind wrote:
>
> You are right. However, I cannot see that it makes much difference in
> terms
> of semantics to say that x is for y or x (which)is y (the kammadhaaraya
> solution, which interprets one member of a compound as apposition to the
> other). Clearly water is a dakkhi.naa in the traditional Indian sense:
> it is
> placed in front (aggato) of the recipient as a ceremonial gift. I assume
> that the word and the ceremony itself are derived from the brahmnaical
> dak.si.naa ceremony, but, of course, in a different context.
>
> O.H.Pind
>
> <The Thai translation is "water for daksi.naa", which would make it a
> catutthi tappurisa. The Thai dictionary gives this meaning: "water used to
> wash at the time of giving gifts, in order to dedicate an extra portion of
> the merit to the deceased." Since the word dakkhi.na had become such a
> catch-all phrase regarding gifts and dedication, it would make sense that
> dakkhi.nodaka be ceremonially "for" or even "of" the gift giving
> instead of
> as a gift itself. In Thailand, it is still a custom in some places to
> offer
> such water to the monks to pour themselves in order to dedicate merit for
> the donors and their relatives.
>
> Personally, I just assumed this name referred to cultural stigma (and
> health
> concerns!) against using the left hand for eating (it being used to clean
> the other end)>
>
> Yuttadhammo
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