The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study)
by Moumita Dutta Banik | 2017 | 50,922 words
This study deals with the Catu-Bhanavara-Pali, (lit. “Text of the Four Recitals”) which in Buddhism is popularly known as “The Book of Protection”. This text, in the Pali language, represents a recital of the Dhamma meant for protection and deliverance from evil and sorrows as well as promoting welfare and well-being. The spreading time of Catubhan...
(3) The Samanerapanha
The next is samanerapanha.[1] The novice referred to here is the seven year old Sopaka. He was questioned by the Buddha. It is not a matter of surprise that a child of such tender years can give profound answer to these questions. One has heard of infant prodigies[2]. Whereas the novices are asked questioned, so it is called samanerapanha.
Q. One is what? Ans.: All beings subsist on food.
Q. Two is what? Ans.: Name and form (mind and matter).
Q. Three is what? Ans.: Three kinds of feelings–Happiness, sorrow, pain for avoidance.
Q. Four is what? Ans.: Four noble truths.
Q. Five is what? Ans.: Five aggregates subject to grasping–that is form, pain, definition, prejudice and consciousness.
Q. Six is what? Ans.: Six-fold base, audio, visual, smell, taste, body and mind.
Q. Seven is what? Ans.: Seven factors of enlightenment.
Q. Eight is what? Ans.: The noble Eight fold path.
Q. Nine is what? Ans.: Nine abodes of beings.
Q. Ten is what? Ans.: He who is endowed with ten attributes is called an arahant.
The contents of Samanera panha is identical to the concept of the contents of Anguttara nikaya, where it is defined as eka nipata, dukanipata. Accordingly, the Samanera panha deals with general questions (followed by respective answers) those arise in the mind of a novice or Samana (samanera).
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Also known as “Kumaro Panha Questions to be answered by the Young one, Khuddaka-patha. No. 4; cf. A.v. 50 ff; 55 ff.