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sappurisadhamme

sappurisa-dhamma

masculine noun in locative singular; compound of sappurisa (worthy/virtuous person) + dhamma (doctrine/quality)

1. the teaching/practice of the worthy
2. the virtue characteristic of a noble person
3. righteous conduct

Built from

• saṁ — prefix · well, together
  The prefix su- is contracted to s- before p. Indicates excellence and unity.
• purisa — root · man, person
  A masculine human being; the worthy man is defined by conduct that accords with dhamma.
• dhamma — stem · law, doctrine, quality
  What is established or held firm; in this compound, the inherent virtue or teaching that defines noble conduct.
• -e — ending · locative singular
  The locative case here expresses the sphere or context: 'in/within the teaching of the worthy.'

Analysis. saṁ (well) + purisa (man, person) + dhamma (law, doctrine, quality) — a compound idiom denoting the dharma or natural qualities befitting a spiritually worthy person; found in doctrinal contexts describing virtue and right conduct as the mark of the ariyasāvaka (noble disciple)

Etymology. sappurisa: su- (well) + purisa (man, person; cognate with English 'person', Latin 'purus' via proto-Indo-European). Dhamma: from √dhṛ (to hold, bear; cognate with English 'dharma', Latin 'firmus'). The compound reflects the canonical principle that virtue is the natural expression of inner worthiness.

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

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