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THE
EMBLEM
"U Dhammika, where have you read the definition of
the word 'dhammacakka'?" Sayadaw asked me. It wasn't because he
didn't know that he asked. Most likely, he wanted to see whether the
author knew. I guess he wanted to explain it if I didn't
know.
I answered, "I've read it in the Commentary on the
A?guttara Nikâya, Bhante. I think it's also in the Great Commentary
on the Vinaya, Bhante."
Apparently, he was just testing how
much of the Canonical literature I had really read. It is evident
that Sayadaw really appreciates the word 'dhammacakka'. He explained
its meaning.
" 'Cakka' means wheel. It is because the five
faculties, saddhâ (faith), vîriya (energy), sati (mindfulness),
samâdhi (concentration), and pa?ña (wisdom), revolve like a wheel
that they are called the dhammacakka. They are called the five
controlling faculties or forces. What is the Pâli for 'controlling
faculties'?"
"Indriya, Bhante."
Sayadaw was asking
these questions of the author while he stood in front of the Tha Tun
Aung Building. I stood with hands together at my chest, answering.
Sayadaw said I was correct.
"What is force?"
"Bala,
Bhante."
"That's correct. They are called the five Indriya or
the five Bala, aren't they?"
"It's true, Bhante."
"In
Myanmar you just say 'the five controlling faculties or forces'
don't you?"
Although Sayadaw is familiar with the Myanmar, he
has an strong inclination to translate the Pâli words which people
don't know the meaning of. He wants one to know the precise
meaning.
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