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ākāsānañcāyatanato

ākāsānañcāyatana

nt abl sg of ākāsānañcāyatana (noun)

1. dimension of infinite space; base of infinity of space

Built from

• ā — prefix · toward, up to
  Reversal prefix that opens up or extends toward the speaker.
• kas — root · appear, shine
  The base appears or opens up into perception.
• ānañca — stem · infinitude, infinite
  Composed of a- (without) + nañca (end); what has no limit or boundary.
• āyatana — stem · base, dimension, field
  From ā (toward) + √yam (stretch); that which is stretched toward or serves as a resting-place for consciousness.
• to — ending · ablative singular
  Marks the source or origin: 'from the dimension of infinite space'.

Analysis. ākāsa (space, void) + ānañca (infinitude) + āyatana (base, dimension); in Buddhist metaphysics, the first of four immaterial realms (ārūpajhāna), where consciousness rests on the infinity of space itself rather than form.

Etymology. ākāsa from ā (toward, up to) + √kas (appear, shine), meaning 'what appears or opens up'; āyatana from ā (toward) + √yam (stretch, extend), meaning 'what is stretched toward' or base; ānañca from a- (without) + nañca (end, limit), meaning infinitude. The whole term belongs to the Abhidhamma analysis of mental bases and formless spheres.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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