Re: Mmd-p.t passage regarding Kc 1 (1 of 3)

Thanks Jim,

I am missing the overall context so you're in the best position to judge about
what the word


nipphaadana means here. The passage seems to be saying, "Why bother
analyzing/taking apart/finding a derivation of,  the Buddha's words as they're
already perfect and hearing them is enough to achieve awakening?".

Obviously the whole purport of the passage turns on what this word means as it's
used (in various forms) six times in the passage. The primary meaning of the
root  ni.spad is definitely  "to produce" or "accomplish" or "bring forth", but
what does that mean in this context? "nipphanna" has the meaning of "perfected".
Is the passage saying "one can't perfect what is already perfect?"

Anyways, I will be very interested in your conclusions,

Best regards,

Bryan



________________________________
From: Jim Anderson <jimanderson_on@...>
To: palistudy@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, July 12, 2010 10:27:51 PM
Subject: Re: [palistudy] Mmd-p.t passage regarding Kc 1 (1 of 3)

  
Hi Bryan,

Thanks for your contribution. I have to give it more thought and leave much
of your translation until later. For now, I'll comment on the following:

<< Following is my translation. I think the ca's are just a continuation of
the argument as outlined below (the ca's you asked about are underlined).
I think, for the passage to make sense, the words nipphaadana, nipphanna,
nipphaadetabba, etc must all be taken in the sense of "analysis" or
"perfection". They all come from the same root ni.spad in Skt. which has the
sense of "ripen" and nipphanna in Paali has the sense of "perfected". >>

That is just some of the meanings although I have some doubt about
"analysis". Nipphatti is another cognate in use in the commentaries, e.g.,
saddanipphatti (I think of the derivation of words or word-formation).
Nipphatti is the example given for the "ph" substitute of "p" in Kc 19. Also
note that the negative ppa. "anipphanna" is given only the meaning of "not
derived" in CPD Vol. I, p.174. The verb "nippajjate" or "nipphajjate" (as in
Mmd) is one of the three words in Kc 53 (liṅgañca nipphajjate). I looked it
up at Mmd p. 69 and found "thapīyati" (is established) given as a synonym.
That doesn't sound too far off from "is brought about, is produced" (cf.
definition 2 in Apte s.v. niṣpad). ī have to disagree with "perfection" or
"analysis" for "nipphādana" in your translation (but will keep them in
mind):

<< Why is the work of the perfection (analysis?) of words and letters done?
>>

I have to agree that my "producing" may not be the best choice either. You
take "akkharapada" as a dvanda (words and letters) as opposed to my
pañcamītappurisa reading (words from letters). I seem to recall seeing a
passage that supports the latter reading and will try to find it.

So much for now.

Bes, Jim






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