Renderings
• āsā: expectation
• āsā: hope
Introduction
Parenthesis
Where an object of expectation is needed, we parenthesise ‘(for anything)’ or ‘(for anything in the world),’ following the first quote:
1) Having loosened the spiritual shackle of
grasping by which they are bound (to the realm of death), they nurse no
expectations for anything in the world.
☸ Ādānaganthaṃ gathitaṃ visajja āsaṃ na
kubbanti kuhiñci loke (Sn.v.794).
2) ‘He who is not relying on (the
fulfilment of any) expectation (for anything in the world);
☸ Āsaṃ anissāya (Sn.v.474).
3) He in whom there are no expectations (for
anything) in either this world or the world beyond.
☸ Āsā yassa na vijjanti asmiṃ loke
paramhi ca (Sn.v.634).
Illustrations
Illustration: āsāya, expectantly; āsā, expectation
The field is ploughed
expectantly. The seed is sown expectantly. Merchants go to sea expectantly,
bringing back wealth. Let that expectation in which I rest (my hopes) be
realised.
☸ Āsāya kasate khettaṃ bījaṃ āsāya
vappati
Asāya vāṇijā yanti samuddaṃ dhanahārakā
Yāya āsāya tiṭṭhāmi sā me āsā samijjhatu (Th.v.530).
Illustration: āsā, expectation
The expectation (of
receiving) robe material is disappointed.
☸ cīvarāsā vā upacchinnā (Vin.3.196).
Illustration: āsā, expectation
There are certain ascetics and Brahmanists
who teach thus, who hold this view: If one lives the religious life while
nursing an expectation, one will not procure any benefit.
☸ Eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṃvādino evaṃdiṭṭhino
āsañcepi karitvā brahmacariyaṃ caranti abhabbā phalassa adhigamāya (M.3.138).
Illustration: āsā, expectation
If one squeezes the
udder of a recently-calved cow while nursing an
expectation one could (nonetheless)
procure milk.
☸ Āsañcepi karitvā gāviṃ taruṇavacchaṃ
thanato āviñcheyya bhabbo khīrassa adhigamāya (M.3.143).
Illustration: āso, expectation
There are these three
types of persons found in the world. Which three. One without expectation. One
who is full of expectation. One who is rid of expectation.
☸ Tayome bhikkhave puggalā santo
saṃvijjamānā lokasmiṃ. Katame tayo: nirāso āsaṃso vigatāso.
What is the person
without expectation. Here, a person has been reborn in a low family… He hears
that the khattiyas have anointed such-and-such
a khattiya. It does not occur to him (to
think:) ‘When will the khattiyas
anoint me?’
☸ Katamo ca bhikkhave puggalo nirāso:
idha bhikkhave ekacco puggalo nīce kule paccājāto hoti… So suṇāti itthannāmo kira khattiyo khattiyehi
khattiyābhisekena abhisittāti tassa na evaṃ hoti: kudassu nāma mamampi khattiyā
khattiyābhisekena abhisiñcissantīti.
What is the person who
is full of expectation? Here, someone is the eldest son of a head-anointed khattiya king… He hears that the khattiyas have anointed such-and-such a khattiya. It occurs to him (to think:)
‘When will the khattiyas anoint me?’
☸ Katamo ca bhikkhave puggalo āsasaṃso. Idha
bhikkhave rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa jeṭṭho putto hoti ābhiseko
anabhisitto macalappatto. So suṇāti itthannāmo kira khattiyo khattiyehi
khattiyābhisekena abhisittoti. Tassa evaṃ hoti. Kudassu nāma mamampi khattiyā
khattiyābhisekena abhisiñcissantīti (A.1.107-8).
Illustration: āsā, expectation
On account of what are
things agreeable in the world, and wanted in the world? And what is the source
of the expectation and hope that a man has for the hereafter?
☸ Piyā su lokasmiṃ kutonidānā ye cā pi lobhā
vicaranti loke
Āsā ca niṭṭhā ca kutonidānā ye samparāyāya narassa honti (Sn.v.864).
Things are agreeable and wanted in the
world on account of desire. Desire is also the source of the expectation and
hope that a man has for the hereafter.
☸ Chandānidānāni piyāni loke ye cā pi lobhā vicaranti loke
Āsā ca niṭṭhā ca itonidānā ye samparāyāya narassa honti (Sn.v.865).
Comment:
Niṭṭhā: ‘hope.’ PED calls niṭṭhā ‘aim.’ This would give ‘what is the source of the aim that a man has for the hereafter.’ Norman calls it ‘fulfilment (of hope)’ which likewise does not fit.
Illustration: āsā, hope
The hope is
established in me to become a once-returner.
☸ Āsā ca pana me santiṭṭhati
sakadāgāmitāyā ti (D.2.206).
Illustration: āsā, hope
Two hopes are
difficult to abandon. Which two? The hope to get something, and the hope to
survive.
☸ Dvemā bhikkhave āsā duppajahā. Katamā
dve: lābhāsā ca jīvitāsā ca. Imā kho bhikkhave dve āsā duppajahāti (A.1.86).
Glossary of Pāli Terms with Illustrations 2019 