Re: Dhammapada commentary

Hi Jim,


> I will say this
> though: in my mind, an accusative noun as the subject of a fpp seems
> only possible in an accusative absolute construction but I will take a
> look at what Wijesekera has to say on the matter.
>

Unfortunately, he doesn't address this particular matter as such.  Also, the
point is (if the hypothesis is sound) that in the kind of 'impersonal'
construction in question, the acc. is functioning as an 'object', not a
'subject', of the verbal adjective.  I know that may sound very strange to
you; but it's very very clear in the Greek (I think it occurs also in Latin,
but that's not for me).  I'm not sure if this may help, it's not really
possible to translate into English the differences in sense and form between
the personal and impersonal verbal adjectives, but:

      The book (nom.) is needing-to-be-read (nom.)

      It-is-needing-to-be-read (nom. nt. sg.), the book (acc.)

Maybe you could try writing two parallel sentences in Pali, as an exercise,
following the above case indications, and see what you get?
There are also possibilities other than the acc. in the suttaani, as you'll
find out: e.g., I've found the 'impersonal' gerundive with dative, dative +
genitive, and instrumental.


>
> For investigative discussions I'm hoping to gradually bring in the
> Brahmajaalasutta for grammatical analyses according to traditional and
> Western-styled grammars. I would also like to take an approach based
> on what I would call "the principle of first occurrences", e.g.,. with
> DN 1 as the base sutta the first instances of a fpp. occur in para. 5
> (kara.niiyaa; kara.niiyo) and one with a different suffix
> (nibbe.thetabba.m).
>
> I have a feeling that a base sutta like DN 1 will touch upon most of
> the Pali grammar found in the entire Tipi.taka.
>

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable way of  going about things.  All the best
with it.  I'll have a look at it, too.  No doubt we'll compare notes later
on.

Metta,
Khristos


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