Re: avagamana

Dear Jim,

The verb avagacchati and noun avagamana are not related to the idea of the Buddha as an avatar. The verb means "to understand" and the noun means "understanding." See Cone's Dictionary of Paali, Part I.

It is similar with the absolutive avecca (based on the verb aveti <-- ava + eti), used to describe the pasaada of a sotaapanna. This also literally means "gone down," but signifies understanding via direct experience. In fact, the English word itself, "understanding," does not mean "to stand beneath," nor does "undergo" mean "to go down." Meanings arise from implicit metaphors but they acquire a life of their own.

With metta,
Bhikkhu Bodhi

On 12/4/2014 6:47 AM, 'Jim Anderson' jimanderson.on@... [palistudy] wrote:

 

Hi Bryan,

Thanks for quoting from the Namakkārapāḷi-ṭīkā. Despite it being a modern
work it is still useful. The four meanings given for the verbal root 'budh'
parallel those given in the Sadd with gamana being connected to avagamana
(to go down, descend) which seem to relate to the Indian idea of the Buddha
as Avatar.

An investigation of the word 'buddha' and all the other words derived from
'budh' is certainly enough to keep one busy for a very long time.

Thanks for all the contributions you and everyone else have been posting.
It/s been a lively discussion.

Best wishes,

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bryan Levman bryan.levman@... [palistudy]"
<palistudy@yahoogroups.com>
To: <palistudy@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: December 3, 2014 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: [palistudy] budh and vikasana

Thanks Petra,
It's probably not much use then in terms of historical etymology, unless his
sources are very traditional,
Best wishes, Bryan

From: "Petra Kieffer-Pülz kiepue@... [palistudy]"
<palistudy@yahoogroups.com>
To: palistudy@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: [palistudy] budh and vikasana

The Namakkārapāli-ṭīkā is by a Burmese Revata (1874-1954) and dates from
1945.
Best,Petra

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