[Buddha-l] Om mani padme hum IN "Western Self, Asian Other"

[Dan Lusthaus]

Joanna,

> Why can't it be the "jewel of (belonging to, from the) the lotus"?

"Belonging to" would require a genitive ending. "From the" would require the 
ablative. While, as is evident, cases can be made (and unmade) for locative 
and vocative readings of padme, padme cannot (as far as I can tell) be 
construed as either genitive or ablative. This is what we meant by grammar 
putting limits on interpretation, but not sufficient to decide amongst 
viable possibilities.

But, hey, if you call yourself a Buddhist, and want to interpret it that 
way, who are we prejudicial orientalist-tinged western scholars to tell you 
you're wrong? Just don't release sarin in any subways.

cheers,
Dan