Re: Dakkhi.nodaka

At 19 Nov 2007 21:18:30 +0530 Nyanatusita wrote:
> Dear Yuttadhammo,
>
> It seems to me from the contexts that the water is used for washing the
> hand and bowl of the monks, not for drinking. Perhaps because of this
> similarity of pouring the water over the hands for washing with the
> ritualistic usage of pouring water for dedication, it is called
> dakkhi.nodaka.

Bhante,

I would prefer to think so as well, except in that case I would rather say that dakkhi.na simply refers to the fact that in those times (even at present in some parts of Thailand, and probably India) the right hand only was used for eating, as the left hand was used for cleaning the other end.  This would be a good reason as to why other ceremonies similarily preferred the right hand.

> Our monastery helper told me today that the crucial part of the Kandyan
> marriage ritual consists of thread (preferably being made of gold) being
> wound around the right thumbs of the couple, after which water is poured
> over the right hands.

My favourate marriage custom is in the Diigha (Agganna Sutta):

''Ye kho pana te, vāseṭṭha, tena samayena sattā passanti methunaṃ dhammaṃ paṭisevante, aññe paṃsuṃ khipanti, aññe seṭṭhiṃ khipanti , aññe gomayaṃ khipanti : 'nassa asuci, nassa asucīti. 'Kathañhi nāma satto sattassa evarūpaṃ karissatīti! tadetarahipi **manussā ekaccesu janapadesu vadhuyā nibbuyhamānāya aññe paṃsuṃ khipanti, aññe seṭṭhiṃ khipanti, aññe gomayaṃ khipanti.** Tadeva porāṇaṃ aggaññaṃ akkharaṃ anusaranti, na tvevassa atthaṃ ājānanti.

In this case, the origin of the custom is made perfectly clear :)

Best Wishes,

Yuttadhammo