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

[JKirkpatrick]

"Just don't release sarin in any subways." 
Come on Dan--that is not funny. 

I think you philogers are overdoing the classical grammatical
focus. 
I bet this mantra got started in ages past and with constant
vernacular use became variable in pronunciations and in writing,
over time, like many other mantras from our own historical
records. 

JK

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Dan
Lusthaus
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 4:18 PM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Om mani padme hum IN "Western Self, Asian
Other"

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 

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