On the Etymological Interpretation of pratītya in Candrakīrti’s Prasannapadā: From the Viewpoints of the Cāndra and Pāṇinian Systems

Abstract

Candrakīrti (ca. 7th c.) illustrates an etymological interpretation of the word pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination) in his Prasannapadā. The word pratītya, ending in the suffix LyaP by which the suffix Ktvā is replaced, is used in the sense of “attaining” (prāpti). This interpretation corresponds with that of Vasubandhu (ca. 4–5th c.). Moreover, Candrakīrti paraphrases pratītya as “dependence” (apekṣā). Lately, M. Salvini pointed out that his interpretation of the word pratītya as “dependence” was related with an explanation in the Cāndravyākaraṇa of Candragomin (ca. 5th c.). That is to say, he paid attention to the expression parāpekṣayā vā in C1.3.131, and understood that this expression parāpekṣā meant “dependence upon something else.” He concluded that Candrakīrti might have made use of C1.3.131 for his etymological interpretation. In this paper, I claim that Salvini’s understanding of parāpekṣayā vā in C1.3.131 is not proper, and that Candrakīrti’s interpretation on pratītya is grounded on A3.4.20, unlike Vasubandhu’s which is grounded on A3.4.21.