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

Hi Bryan,

<< Thanks very much for the context. Now the passage in question makes much
better sense. You are of course right that the first compound must be a
tatpurusa, i.e. "producing/forming words from letters". >>

I would like to change "words" in the compounds to the singular "a word" for
consistency with "padaṃ nipphādetukāmena" in one of the quotes.

<< What is the overall meaning of the passage then? Is it "Why bother taking
words apart [i. e. analyzing them into their aksara components, letters,
roots, stems, inflections, etc. and then putting them back together again]
when they are already perfect [as wholes], since they're buddhavacana?" >>

I haven't come to any conclusion about the overall meaning. Your
interpretation will do for now. I think the question will be clearer after I
post the answer (in two parts). The categorical answer is, of course, "no"
(it is not useless) followed by a two-part explanation of what happens to
the dhamma when it gets in the hands of incompetentcy (it perishes), and
what happens when it is in the hands of competency (it survives!!). There is
also a delightful metaphor of a box (pada) made of durable wood (akkharas)
with the jewel (attha) inside.

I'll have to put aside the computer for most of the day because I'm going
for an eye examination and will have dilatory drops put in.

Best, Jim