[INDOLOGY] Query

[Madhav Deshpande]

Patrick,

I found one likely explanation:

Source <http://dictionary.sutta.org/>: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's
Pali-English Dictionary

Vidatthi, (f.) (cp. Vedic vitasti; see Geiger, P. Gr. 383) a span (of 12
aṅgulas or finger-breadths) Vin. III, 149 (dīghaso dvādasa vidatthiyo
sugata-vidatthiyā); IV, 279; J. I, 337; III, 318; Miln. 85; Vism. 65, 124,
171, 175, 408; DhA. III, 172; IV, 220; VbhA. 343 (dvādas’ aṅgulāni
vidatthi; dve vidatthiyo ratanaṃ, etc.). (Page 621)


Not connected to "hasta".


The word "vitasti" likely survives in Marathi as वीत vīt, a measure "from
the tip of thumb to the tip of the small finger of a stretched hand". This
is a common Marathi word.


Madhav


Madhav M. Deshpande
Professor Emeritus, Sanskrit and Linguistics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Senior Fellow, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

[Residence: Campbell, California, USA]


On Fri, Jan 3, 2025 at 7:33 AM Patrick Olivelle via INDOLOGY <
indology at list.indology.info> wrote:

> Friends:
>
> Happy New Year. Someone from Thailand sent me this query, and I turn to
> you all for any possible answers:
>
> The reference we found states: "...the *sugatavidatthi* is really just
> the sugata hattha"
>
>
>    1. The definition and relationship between *sugata and hattha *in your
>       research
>       2. The historical and textual basis for the 42.6cm measurement of a
>       hattha
>
> Additionally, if you are familiar with Buddhist texts, we would be very
> interested in understanding: 3. How this measurement might relate to the
> Buddha's span (sugatavidatthi) as mentioned in the Vinaya texts. However,
> we completely understand if this falls outside your area of research.
>
> This information is crucial for his research on Vinaya rules regarding
> robe dimensions (particularly the 6-hattha height limit for robes) and
> monastic dwelling specifications. Understanding these measurements has
> practical implications for maintaining authenticity in modern Buddhist
> monastic practice.
>
> With thanks and warm good wishes,
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
>
>
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