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tathattāya

tathatta

nt dat sg of tathatta (noun); masc dat sg of tathatta (noun)

1. tathatta (nt): such a state; such a condition
2. tathatta (nt): doing likewise; lit. such state
3. tathatta (nt): truth; lit. such state
4. tathatta (masc): true being; lit. true self
5. tathattāya (ind): to do likewise

Built from

• tatha — root · such, in that way
  Old demonstrative adverb pointing to manner or identity, related to Sanskrit tathā and English 'that'. Carries the concrete sense of 'that place, that manner' extended to abstract identity.
• -tta — ending · state, quality (abstract nominalizer)
  Suffix forming abstract nouns from adjectives and adverbs, cognate with Sanskrit -tva and English '-th' in 'truth', 'growth'. Transforms a manner or quality into a noun.
• -āya — ending · dative/instrumental purpose
  Dative or instrumental suffix expressing purpose ('in order to'), manner, or beneficiary; marks the inflection that turns the abstract noun into an adverbial phrase of intent or similitude.

Analysis. tathatta is the abstract noun derived from tatha (such, in that manner) with the suffix -tta (forming abstracts from adjectives and adverbs); tathattāya as dative or instrumental expresses purpose or manner, 'in order to be/act in such a way' or 'for the sake of such-ness'.

Etymology. tatha is an old demonstrative adverb related to Sanskrit tathā, from the same Indo-European root as English 'that' and Greek to (the article); the suffix -tta (Sanskrit -tva) nominalizes qualities and states, cognate with English '-th' in abstract nouns like 'truth' and 'growth'. The word centers on the concrete idea of 'pointing to a place or manner' (tath-) which becomes abstract identity or truthfulness.

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

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