‹ Back to the text

dhammapariyāyaṁ

dhammapariyāya

accusative singular masculine of dhammapariyāya (noun)

1. exposition of the Dhamma
2. doctrinal discourse
3. method of teaching the Dhamma

Built from

• dhamma — root · Dhamma, doctrine
  From √dhṛ "to hold, bear" (cognate with English "term" via Latin terminus). The Dhamma is what holds or bears the Buddhist path.
• pari — prefix · around, completely
  The spatial sense of circumnavigation gives the sense of comprehensiveness or methodical completeness in exposition.
• āya — ending · way, method
  From √i "go"; the suffix -āya creates abstract nouns denoting manner, way, or method.
• aṁ — ending · accusative singular
  Marks the direct object in this accusative construction, used when the Buddha or teacher presents this exposition.

Analysis. dhamma (the Dhamma, doctrine, law) + pariyāya (way around, method, exposition). The compound expresses a methodical way of expounding or approaching the doctrine, especially in canonical contexts where the Buddha presents the Dhamma through ordered pedagogical means.

Etymology. pariyāya derives from pari- (around, completely) + √i (go), literally "going around" or "going all the way around"; the sense evolved from circling to encompassing, hence "method" or "way". dhamma is cognate with Sanskrit dharma (law, duty, religious order), from √dhṛ (to hold, bear).

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

Lite mode — plain HTML for e-readers and old browsers. Full version