Re: Trans. & Philosophy of SN-1:18:5 [Ko.t.thita Sutta]

Needless to say, I disagree with Bodhi's treatment of the first two
sections (i & ii) --and they appear to be 100% derivative of other
translations, not to be based on an independent reading of the text.
Thus, in this instance, a challenge to one translator is a challenge
to all 3.

He seems to have innovated here:

> "Suppose, friend, a black ox and a white ox were yoked together by a
> single rope or yoke. Would one be speaking rightly if one were to say... ?

This is evidently based on the interpretation of /nu kho/ as an
interrogative (in the absence of any true interrogative particle in
the sentence, viz., there is no /ki.m/ to be found, as in /kinnu/,
etc.).

If you can combine two affirmative particles to produce an
interrogative, we're all in trouble.

E.M.