middle

Explore the ancient language of the Tipitaka and Theravāda commentaries
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Ludwig
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Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:17 am

middle

Post by Ludwig »

Hi,

Wondering if someone could tell me why "majjhena" is used in majjhena dhamma (middle teaching/doctrine) and "majjhima" in majjhima patipada (middle path/way), when both appear to mean "middle".


Cheers,
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Khalil Bodhi
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Re: middle

Post by Khalil Bodhi »

The difference has to do with the case of the noun. I'm no Pali scholar but I believe the first is nominative whereas the second is genitive or something like that.
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183

The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
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piotr
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Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 4:33 pm
Location: Khettadesa

Re: middle

Post by piotr »

Hi,

This are just two different words, with very similar meaning:

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philol ... :3763.pali" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philol ... :3769.pali" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhagavaṃmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā...
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Khalil Bodhi
Posts: 2250
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:32 pm
Location: NYC
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Re: middle

Post by Khalil Bodhi »

piotr wrote:Hi,

This are just two different words, with very similar meaning:

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philol ... :3763.pali" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philol ... :3769.pali" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks Piotr! :anjali:
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183

The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
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