8. Show how the attitude of Theravada towards the pāli language differs from the attitude towards language in early Buddhism

The pāli is the language of the Theravada tradition as the Sanskrit is the language of the Sarvastivada tradition. Ven. Mahinda brought the Tripitaka to Sri Lanka in the form of Pali language, while there were Tripitakas written in order languages.

What is logical to believe is that the Buddha would have used various languages to preach the Dhama to various groups of individuals in various nation states. Pāli is definitely one of them. This is amply proved by the Arabavubgabga Sutta (MN) The language of the Asoka inscriptions is also very close to the language of the Pali Tripitaka. It is to be noted here that the Sinhalese Prakrit does not differ so mush from the language of the Pali Tripitaka. Therefore, it can be safely concluded that Pali was a living language during the time of the Buddha. Among various others languages, Pali would have been considered as the Lingua Franca (common Language) for the citizens in Northern India. Therefore, the Buddha could have used Pali quite often to preach the Dhamma.

The Theravada tradiftion does not see any difference between Magadhi and Pali. The commentators insist that the Buddha preached the Dhamma in the Magadhi language. However, there is evidence to prove that Magadhi was quite different from the language in the Tripitaka. In the Sanskrit grammars, there are characters which speak Magadhi. Inscriptions in Magadhi language have also been found. There are three basic differences between Magadhi and Pali.

(1) In Magadhi, the sound r is not found. In place of r Magadhi has l. In Pali,

both r anl are found. However, the frequent use in Pali is r.

(2) In Sanskrit, there are three S sounds such as s, ş and ś. In Pali, only s is found; both

ş, and ś are missing in Pali. In the Magadhi language, what is found is ş; both s and ś are missing.

(3) Both a-ending masculine and neuter nouns ends with e-sound in the singular and the first (Nominative) case in the Magadhi language.

The Pabbajja sutta of the Sutta of the Suttanipata informs us that the prince Siddhartha renounced from the territory of Sakuyas belonging to the nation state of kosala. Therefore, the language of Mangala of Magadha cannot be the language of the Buddha who was a Kosala. Accordingly, the original language of the world is pali. It is the language of the primitive man, of the Brahmas, and of the Buddhas. When the Buddha reaches the Dhamma in this original language, all beings could understand it as it is their own language. No words are necessary to emphasize the fact that these claims cannot be substantiated with the scientific and linguistic evidence. However the Theravada tradition insists on this even today. In the Arnavibhanga Sutta (MN) tells us, the Buddha rejected the rejected the request to translate his words into Sanskrit. The oldest discourses of the Pali cannon are found in the Atthakavagga and the Parayanavagga of the Suttanipata.

The linguists have told us that one of the most beautiful languages in the world is the language that is employed in the Tripitaka. Those who are familiar with the Tripitaka can instantly recognize what was uttered by the Buddha and by the disciples. Pali is a musical Language by nature. (Words-548 Created by Ven. Vilasa)