Papañca- in Colloquial Usage

Abstract

This paper investigates Pāli papañca- focusing on colloquial usage. From the Aṭṭhakathā onward, papañca- is used not only in dogmatic contexts, but also in ordinary contexts. The Saddanīti tells us that papañca- means “a long time” (Sadd 529, 1) in colloquial usage. The nuance of this term, however, is “a waste of time.” Parallel cases are found in many passages.

As a result of this investigation, I conclude that papañca- basically means “a superfluity, a futility” in colloquial usage. Papañceti (denom.) and its paraphrase papañcaṃ karoti also means “do what is unnecessary, make an unnecessary addition to, meddle, etc.” The unique temporal meaning is presumably derived from this basic meaning, namely “there is a superfluity for one > one is busily occupied with something, or indulges in something > one wastes one’s time.” The characteristic syntax in which this term is used includes concrete examples of what is superfluous. In that case, papañca- becomes a complement.

Papañca- in colloquial usage inherits a negative sense of value expression from its dogmatic usage. In spite of showing unique semantic change, it seems that the basic meaning is essentially the same as Classic prapañca- except for the difference in the implied value expressed.