Scribd
Upload
131 views1 page

Etymological Interpretation

Etymology refers to interpreting the meaning of words based on their linguistic history and origins. Buddhist commentators in the Theravada tradition employed different etymological interpretations to protect and uphold the identity of Theravada Buddhism. They sought to distinguish Pali Buddhist terms from Sanskrit Brahmanical meanings and establish Pali as the authoritative language for Theravada. Commentators like Buddhaghosa introduced new etymologies for key terms that aligned their meanings with Buddhist doctrines rather than Brahmanical traditions. This helped safeguard an independent Theravada identity separate from other Buddhist schools of thought.

Uploaded by

su panna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
131 views1 page

Etymological Interpretation

Etymology refers to interpreting the meaning of words based on their linguistic history and origins. Buddhist commentators in the Theravada tradition employed different etymological interpretations to protect and uphold the identity of Theravada Buddhism. They sought to distinguish Pali Buddhist terms from Sanskrit Brahmanical meanings and establish Pali as the authoritative language for Theravada. Commentators like Buddhaghosa introduced new etymologies for key terms that aligned their meanings with Buddhist doctrines rather than Brahmanical traditions. This helped safeguard an independent Theravada identity separate from other Buddhist schools of thought.

Uploaded by

su panna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Explain what is Etymology and Buddhist commentators employed different Etymologies

interpretation to protect the identity of Theravada Buddhism. Discuss

Etymology belongs to the history of Indian Vedic tradition. It is the method to signify the meaning
of a word including every detail. In Sanskrit literature, the term Nirukti has been used for three
meanings as 1, language, 2, etymology and 3, grammar.

The Cullavagga PAli reported a statement of the Buddha where the term Nirukti is available. It is
obvious that TheravAdins wanted to safeguard their independent identity from other Buddhist
traditions. MahAvihAra in Anurathapura played a great role in this regard. The monks in
MahAvihAra added more value to the PAli language. Since then the Buddhists started to pay
similar respect to the both Buddhism and PAli language. All the commentators have made their
contributions to protect and uplift the significance of PAli language.

The Buddha once introduced his language as Sakanirutti (one’s own language). Buddhaghosa
provides proofs to ascertain the same view. Commentators did not show any interest towards
Sanskrit language. Commentators wanted to see the long existence of both PAli and Buddhism.

Buddhagosa, though Brahmin by birth and having sound knowledge in Sanskrit, gives prominences
to the PAli and related subjects. In any case he confines to follow the desire of MahAvihAra
tradition. He further mentions the name of several PAli grammar books from which he provides the
texts to explain the Buddhist terms. They are follows;
1. BodhisattavyAkaraBa,
2. SabbakunAkaravyAkaraBa,
3. Cullanirukti,
4. MahAnirukti.

Nirukti was Etymological interpretations. This has long been in practice among Indian scholars. It
is evident that Buddhaghosa was familiar with this system of interpretation and he takes the
opportunity to employ Etymological interpretation in his Pali commentaries.

There are some examples of Etymological method as this. According to etymology stated by
Brahmin, the term Veda has been defined as “Vidanti etenAti vedo” which means knowledge.
And the term “brahmanaM anatIti brahmano” one who scarifies to the Brahma is called
Brahmana.

According to Buddhaghosa he says that “VedaM vuccati catUsu maggesu GAnaM” means
the knowledge on the Four Noble Truths. He further states thus “bAhitA pApoti brahmano”. It
means one who abandons sins is the Brahmana. So he does not follow the Indian Brahmanical
etymology but introduces new meaning to all terms in accordance with Buddhist teaching.

This kind of etymological interpretation was not originally introduced by Buddhaghosa himself, but
it has a long tradition beginning from the Buddha. In Mahavagga Pali the Buddha introduces the
term Samana as “Samita pApa samano” which means “one who subjugates sins is Samana.

As in the above mentioned manner the commentators employ the different Etymologies
interpretation for protecting the identity of Theravada Buddhist teachings. [430]

You might also like