‹ Back to the text

paṭipadāya

paṭipada

nt dat sg of paṭipada (noun); fem instr sg of paṭipada (adj); masc dat sg of paṭipada (adj); fem dat sg of paṭipada (adj); …

1. paṭipada (nt): way; path of progress; path of practice
2. paṭipada (adj): who is walking the path; who is practising the path; going along
3. paṭipadā (fem): way; path of progress; mode of practice; method of implementation
4. paṭipadā (fem): (in debate) procedure; mode of conduct; rules of engagement
5. paṭipadā (fem): name for certain suttas

Built from

• paṭi — prefix · back, against
  Prefix signifying return, response, or reciprocation. Here it frames the path as something one undertakes in response to or in alignment with practice.
• pada — root · foot, step, path
  From PIE *ped- (foot); cognates include English foot, Latin pes, Greek pous. In Pali compounds it shifts from the concrete image of the foot to the abstract notion of a path, stance, or position.

Analysis. paṭi- (back, against, return) + pada (foot, step, path): the path one walks back along, or treads in return; a way or method of practice.

Etymology. paṭi + pada. Paṭi is the prefix paṭi- (back, against, in return), which guides the sense toward 'counter-path' or 'responsive path'. Pada is from Proto-Indo-European *ped- (foot); cognates include English foot, Latin pes, Greek pous (podos), Sanskrit pad. The compound conveys the sense of a path one follows methodically, especially the spiritual path of practice that responds to the Buddha's teaching.

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

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