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Spelling differences and Sanskrit words

ShawnM.ShawnM.
edited August 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Why is it that in Buddhism so many things are spelled multiple ways? "kamma" or "karma" "dhamma" or "dharma". It is just slightly odd that this is done so often. I realize that usually the spelling with two of the same letter together is Sanskrit, but why even change it? It seems like it's such a trivial thing to do, and it definitely adds to my confusion when reading through different texts.

Also as a semi-related question, does the overwhelming amount of new words I'm learning ever slow? It seems that every time I turn a page I find a new word I must google. It would be nice to know that this ends haha. I'm reading "Brahmavihara Dhamma" by Mahasi Sayadaw and I've had to use google so many times in the first few pages I feel I may have to reread sections of it over!

examples on the the last three pages I read: karuna, mudita, upekkha, khandhas, samsara, rupa, nama, sukha-vedana,kammassaka.... this list seems as if it's going to just keep growing, and I've already forgotten what some of them mean! Does anyone have tips on memorizing this stuff??

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited August 2010
    Shawn M. wrote: »
    Why is it that in Buddhism so many things are spelled multiple ways? "kamma" or "karma" "dhamma" or "dharma". It is just slightly odd that this is done so often. I realize that usually the spelling with two of the same letter together is Sanskrit, but why even change it? It seems like it's such a trivial thing to do, and it definitely adds to my confusion when reading through different texts.

    Dhamma, Kamma Sutta, Metta are PALI, not Sanskrit.

    very broadly, Pali is the script used in Theravada tradition, whereas Sanskrit is in keeping with Mahayana.
    Also as a semi-related question, does the overwhelming amount of new words I'm learning ever slow? It seems that every time I turn a page I find a new word I must google. It would be nice to know that this ends haha. I'm reading "Brahmavihara Dhamma" by Mahasi Sayadaw and I've had to use google so many times in the first few pages I feel I may have to reread sections of it over!
    Confession time: I don't bother.
    I just stick to what I understand, and learn about what these things are, but I'm not of a mind to memorise long foreign words, because I prefer the message contained, to the 'label....I suppose I should distinguish which sutta is which...But I know what the Kalama Sutta is, and I know what the Dhammapada is, and I particularly like the Simsapa sutta.

    It's taken me years to learn those.....:D
    You'll hear a lot about the kalama Sutta, by the way. I suggest you read it as much as you can, and as often as you can.....
    examples on the the last three pages I read: karuna, mudita, upekkha, khandhas, samsara, rupa, nama, sukha-vedana,kammassaka.... this list seems as if it's going to just keep growing, and I've already forgotten what some of them mean! Does anyone have tips on memorizing this stuff??
    I would strongly recommend memorising them if you intend to ordain. if you don't, it will be absorbed in time.
    Don't worry. It's not obligatory, and after a while, people will say "Does anyone know that story about the Buddha, and how to deal with an insult?" And you will reply -
    "Oh yeah, I think you mean the akkosa Sutta.....";)
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited August 2010
    By the way:
    All of the above, can be found on this website:

    probably the most comprehensive, authoritative and complete reference site to Theravada teachings you are ever likely to find.
  • ShawnM.ShawnM.
    edited August 2010
    Thank you for that link, it's a bit late for me to explore the site now but I shall when I have some time open tomorrow.

    The amount of different books on Buddhism is slightly overwhelming. I love that there is that much unfound knowledge just waiting for me, but it's still just hard to grasp after my childhood of christianity with just the Bible haha. I'll read through the Kalama and Simsapa Suttas tonight before I go to bed :)

    Also, sorry about the mix up in language. I still have yet to delve into the differences of the Theravada and Mahayana sects (if that's what they're considered anyways). I didn't really make it a point to label myself as either so I figured I'd learn about Buddhism, agree with what I do, then see which one seems to be more like me.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited August 2010
    Good idea.
    It took me nearly 20 years to make that decision, so please trust me when I tell you - any pressure is only from yourself....

    And what's more, even though I practice - and consider myself - Theravada, I do occasionally utilise practices predominantly from the Mahayana Tradition because I find them conducive and positive in my practice.

    I recite mantras, use malas and love the Buddha Tara.
    I also, (regularly a comment on here) "take tea with Yama".....

    Post any questions you want, and we'll all try to clear your path, a little. ;)
  • zombiegirlzombiegirl beating the drum of the lifeless in a dry wasteland Veteran
    edited August 2010
    i know what you mean. i prefer books from authors that give you the definition so it won't distract from your reading. i am still quite the novice and i don't want to do too much too fast. in the past, i had started out reading sutras, but found they just went over my head anyways. as i get a better base understanding, they make more sense when i re-read them.

    at the moment, i'm reading "The Way of Zen" by Alan Watts. i'm not a zen practitioner, so this is really more exploratory for me, but i am finding it quite interesting. he does a really good job of not only translating foreign words, but also the actual meaning put in context of the time/place that our translations sometimes muddle.
  • ShawnM.ShawnM.
    edited August 2010
    Yeah, I like when books do that. The only thing is a lot of them seem to just put the translation in parentheses once, and then expect you to remember what it means 200 pages later lol.
    And what's more, even though I practice - and consider myself - Theravada, I do occasionally utilise practices predominantly from the Mahayana Tradition because I find them conducive and positive in my practice.
    I have a feeling this is how I'll end up being once I learn a lot more :)
    take tea with Yama
    ?
    *scurries off to google*

    EDIT: google fails to help :'(
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited August 2010
    Yama is The Buddha who governs and directs those reborn, into one of the Realms of existence, once they have 'died' in their current existence.

    http://www.arrowriver.ca/wheel/yama.html

    He's an absolutely terrifying and magnificent dude, because he's always at my shoulder.
    I consider him sometimes, a protector, sometimes a reminder. But mostly, I consider him a constant companion, because at some point, as I like to poetically put it, "he will lay his hand upon my shoulder, and beckon me to follow him, and I will not be able to refuse".
    So, by familiarising myself with him (or more accurately, the concept of dying) I am divesting myself of the fear of dying.
    Because before my time, nothing can touch me.
    When my time comes - nothing can prevent it.

    He's Big in Mahayana.... in fact, I would say he's big everywhere....;)
  • ShawnM.ShawnM.
    edited August 2010
    Hmm. That's a bit strange I if I may say so, haha. I didn't know Buddhism even had such "gods". Do people actually see him as a god or is it more of a metaphorical thing?
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited August 2010
    Tibetan Buddhism is full of 'Gods'. But they are not eternal and omnipotent. They are as transitory as human beings. They have life-spans and are subject to impermanence.
    Tibetans 'use' Gods as manifestations of extreme mind-states, as teachers, as guides, but they don't last for ever.....

    Again, if you look at the different 'realms of existence' we all travel through these, in mental states, probably several times a day. These realms have been taken to be literal and existing, but also allegorical, metaphorical 'mind-states'.
    Nirvana (Nibbana, in Pali) means we have escaped this constant cycle of perpetually hopping from one 'realm' to the other....

    There is a 'God' realm, where the gods live a pampered, sheltered existence, feeding on luxuries and knowing nothing but comfort.... all well and good, but eventually, they move on, and find themselves elsewhere..... If they have not developed and skilfully created good karma (Kamma in Pali) for themselves. They come "down to earth" with a bump!

    Do you see what I'm getting at?
  • ShawnM.ShawnM.
    edited August 2010
    Yeah, thanks :)

    (and sorry for my delay, I've been a bit busy fixing my computer and whatnot lately)
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