July 19, 2023 at 7:34 pm
#45490
Keymaster
Yes. It is not easy to translate Pali words into English. Sappaṭigha is usually translated as “graspable”; a better explanation could be “detected with an instrument or a measuring device.” The following explanation may be helpful:
- Sanidassanasappaṭigha= Sanidassana Sappaṭigha. Only light falls into this category as it can be “seen” and “detected with instruments.”
- Anidassanasappaṭigha = Anidassana sappaṭigha. Sadda (sound), gandha (odor particles), rasa (taste particles), and phottabba (matter responsible for the touch) cannot be seen but can be detected with instruments.
- Anidassanaappaṭigha = Anidassana Appaṭigha. Only dhamma rupa belongs to this category since that cannot be seen or detected with any instrument. Scientists are unaware of this category.