Dear Khristos,
Perhaps related to the term "porāṇā" (the ancients) an interesting
definition of the term "porāṇācariyā" can be found at the beginning of the
second pariccheda of the Cūḷaganthavaṃsa (see CSCD, there is also a JPTS
version). They are the 2200 particpants of the first three great councils
with the exception of Mahākaccāyana and are also called aṭṭhakathācariyā.
Best wishes,
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Khristos Nizamis" <nizamisk@...>
To: <palistudy@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 7:32 AM
Subject: Re: [palistudy] Re: Buddhaghosa's citations in Visuddhimagga
Dear Petra,
thank you very much for your helpful information; I am following up some of
your suggestions. Another Pali Study Group member also responded to me
offline and directed my attention to the section in B. C. Law's work (1923)
on Buddhaghosa, where Law discusses the question of the 'Poraa.nas' cited in
Vism, and this basically fits with what you have said here.
Best wishes,
Khristos