"Atta" as prefix in a wholesome development

Exploring the Dhamma, as understood from the perspective of the ancient Pali commentaries.
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phil
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"Atta" as prefix in a wholesome development

Post by phil »

Hi all

I was flipping through the SN anthology following footnotes last night and I came across an intriguing reference to a term with "atta" as the prefix, meaning something akin to development through self, or at least that's what it looked like to me. At the time it reminded me of the discourse in which the Buddha says conceit can be abandoned through conceit (if I recall correctly) and I meant to ask about it. Now I can't find it. Wondering if anyone might know what I am referring to.

Thanks
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
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DooDoot
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Re: "Atta" as prefix in a wholesome development

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These wholesome "atta" words will be in "conventional language", as found in the Attavagga: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html

Maybe the word you are looking for from the SN is attasampadā: https://suttacentral.net/search?query=Attasampada (list of suttas)
sampadā

fortune; happiness; success; attainment.

https://suttacentral.net/define/sampad%C4%81
Atta-sampada (perfection of oneself): dedicating oneself to training for the realization of one's full human potential. This is to always bear in mind the truth that human beings by nature are beings that can be trained, and must be trained, and that once trained are the most excellent of beings; then to resolve to train oneself so that one views difficulties, hardships, obstacles and problems as training grounds to test and develop one's intelligence and abilities; to pay heed to one's continuing improvement toward the realization of one's full potential through a comprehensive development that encompasses behavior, mentality and wisdom.

https://www.mahidol.ac.th/budsir/Part2.html#1
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

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phil
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Re: "Atta" as prefix in a wholesome development

Post by phil »

Hi DooDoot

That looks like the term I saw.

And now I see chanda sampada in the linked passage and I recall that it was also in the footnote I saw. Definitely got it, thanks.
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
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