Dakkhi.nodaka
From: Yuttadhammo
Message: 2309
Date: 2007-11-28
Just to follow up on the discussion of the compound dakkhi.nodaka, here is, I think, a defining passage that should dispel some of the uncertainty as to what the water was used for:
"... buddhappamukhassa bhikkhusaṅghassa dānaṃ datvā tathāgatassa dakkhiṇodakaṃ adāsi. Satthu hatthe dakkhiṇodakapatiṭṭhānena saddhiṃyeva tāvatiṃsadevaloke sabbadisāsu dvādasayojaniko uddhaṃ yojanasatubbedho sattaratanamayo nārīgaṇasampanno dibbapāsādo uggacchi."
DhpA 16.9
I think it is hard to support the idea that here the water is a gift, either to the tathaagata or otherwise. It seems to be a symbolic affirmation of the gift. See, for instance:
"... amba.takavana.m nama attano uyyana.m sa"ngharama.m kattukamo therassa hatthe udaka.m patetva niyyadesi."
DhpA 5.14
Best wishes,
Yuttadhammo