Could kārīṣi be a corruption of kaariirii, which is a relatively minor ritual (i.s.ti)  performed to induce rain fall? The nature of this ritual is such that it could have been common to Brahmanism and Buddhism. Research is making it increasingly clear that as lived religions (as distinct from philosophical religions) Brahmanism and Buddhism were much closer than scholarship has so far taken them to be. 

(There is also an old article by P.V. Bapat on the names of 'Brahmin' ritual names (;samyaappraasa etc.) occurring in Buddhist texts. I do not have the reference at hand.)

If you quote the full passage, it would perhaps be easier to find a solution. 

a.a.

On 2014-02-21, at 12:37 PM, Warner Belanger wrote:

Dear List Members,

I've come across a passage in a Buddhist text which describes the benefits of offering kārīṣi at a caitya.

I assume that this refers to dry cow dung based on Monier-Williams but also Turner's A comparative dictionary of Indo-Aryan languages. I'm not sure for what purpose this would be used ritually. Would it be smeared on the caitya or perhaps used as fuel? Could this word have been used for such a reason instead of gomaya?

Any references or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Warner

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