Kaccayana Scripture: Translation and Analysis

Abstract

This research article investigated on 3 objectives: (1) to study and analyze the Kaccāyana text concerning the history of its compiler, content structure, grammatical principles, and its relationship with other texts; (2) to translate the Kaccāyana text from Thai-Pali into Thai language; and (3) to analyze the value of Kaccāyana text in terms of grammatical system and Buddhist teachings. This was qualitative research using document analysis, synthesizing, and writing in descriptive type.

The research findings revealed that the analysis of the value of Kaccāyana text in terms of grammatical principles and Buddhist teachings indicated to its relationship with the Nettipakaraṇa text. The Kaccāyana text is a Pali grammar, dealing with Pali grammatical principles, while the Nettipakaraṇa is a guide for interpreting the Buddha’s teaching, both in terms of letters and meanings, to clearly understand the content of the Four Noble Truths contained the Buddhist teachings. The value of Kaccāyana in relation to grammatical rules includes Saññāsutta, which names grammatical rules to give naming easier, such as naming letters with the rule “Akkharāpādayo Ekacattālīsaṃ,” stating that there are 41 sounds, with ‘A’ being the first sound as mentioned before. Kaccāyana also explained six types of grammatical rules, such as Vidhisutta, which involves transforming words by deleting and altering letters to make the expression more concise and elegant, as seen in Lopavidhi, which involves omission, meaning that the sound is not produced by the speaker or heard by the listener, i.e., it is not pronounced. This implies that after the initial vowel is omitted, not perceptible to anyone and cannot be pronounced. The analysis of the value of the Kaccāyana in relation to Buddhism revealed that the Kaccāyana is highly beneficial for the Buddha’s teachings investigation, as seen in Sutta 1: “Attho Akkharasaññāto,” means “The meaning is understood through letters.” These letters enable clearly understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, if the letters are incorrect, the meaning will also be incorrect. If the meaning is misunderstood, it is impossible to follow the right teaching to attain liberation, the end of suffering. The Kaccāyana text, also enables the learners to understand the terms used in Pali grammar correctly and clearly and knowing how to break down of compound words in Pali language according to linguistic principle.