The Holy Life

[pererin]

A beginner's question. I am coming across the phrase "the holy life" frequently. What is the Pali for this, and what is its etymology? What do the suttas mean by "holiness"?

With thanks,

Pererin

[Element]

I am coming across the phrase "the holy life" frequently. What is the Pali for this, and what is its etymology?

The Pali word is brahmacariyam. I have heard the etymology of 'brahmin' is 'those who turn away (from evil)'. However, I may stand corrected.

Brahmacariyañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi, brahmacariyatthañca.

Bhikkhus, I will teach you the holy life and the fruits of the holy life. Listen to that...

And what bhikkhus is the holy life? It is this Noble Eightfold Path. This is called the holy life.

And what are the fruits of the holy life? The fruit of stream entry, the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, the fruit of arahantship. These are called the fruits of the holy life.

SN 45.39

Bhikkhus, I will teach you the holy life and the goal of the holy life. Listen to that...

And what bhikkhus is the holy life? It is this Noble Eightfold Path. This is called the holy life.

And what is the goal of the holy life? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion. This is called the goal of the holy life.

SN 45.40

[pererin]

Thank you, Element. Do you know about the other part of the word (-cariyam)? What does a lexical analysis of brahmacariyam tells us about the concept of 'holiness' as evinced by these texts?

[Element]

Thank you, Element. Do you know about the other part of the word (-cariyam)? What does a lexical analysis of brahmacariyam tells us about the concept of 'holiness' as evinced by these texts?

Thank you Pererin, however I do not.

I hope Ajahn Dhammanando can join us and clarify these matters.

With metta,

Element

[piotr]

Hi,

cariyā means conduct or behaviour. So literaly brahmacariyā means 'divine concduct', or something like that. In Buddhist context it may identyfied with chaste life, or living in accordance with the Noble Eightfold Path.

[mikenz66]

In Buddhist context it may be identified with chaste life, or living in accordance with the Noble Eightfold Path.

Thus, when one takes 8 (or more) precepts the third precept becomes:
Abrahma-cariyā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual intercourse.

It's a double negative, refraining from Abrahma-cariyā (not divine conduct).

Mike

[pererin]

Thank you, all: I am most grateful.

If brahma is 'divine', in what sense is that to be understood?

Regards

[piotr]

Hi,

I take meaning of 'divine' as quotes provided by Element put it, i.e. in accordance with the Dhamma.

[cooran]

Hello all,


The Brahmacariya Life & Emotional Intimacy
Brahmacariya is often simply translated as “celibate life.” But brahmacariya is much more than simply abstaining from sexual contact. In Buddhist thought, brahmacariya has always signified the renunciation of certain kinds of relationships for the purpose of pursuing other kinds of relationships, specifically those of religious community life, the relationship with our teacher and fellow monastics. Dhamma and Vinaya guide us in how to develop these relationships to their fullest potential. To make certain that we not underestimate the importance of this issue, Buddha emphasized to Ananda that spiritual friendships are not just ‘half’ of the holy life; they are the ‘whole’ of it. ......
http://www.glbvihara.org/teaching4.htm

metta
Chris

[pererin]

I am grateful to you all for your time and wisdom.

Metta,

Mark