Hello Feliks,
1. Yes. The verse you quoted is not in the Tipitaka. It is probably in one of the late Commentaries (not included in the Tipitaka).
- However, as Tobi-Wan Kenobi pointed out, that verse is consistent with the Tipitaka.
2. Tipitaka provides the foundation or axioms based on which the true nature of the world can be described.
- However, there can be many statements about the nature of the world and the Buddha’s teachings (that may not be in the Tipitaka) but are consistent with the Tipitaka.
- Thus, if a given statement (or a Pali verse) is consistent with the Tipitaka, there is nothing wrong with using it.
3. An example is #4 of the post “How Character (Gati) Leads to Bhava and Jāti.”
To quote #4 of the above post:
“A perpetual cycle that is ever-present in the sansaric cycle of rebirths is described in the following verse (it is not in the Tipiṭaka, and probably in a later Commentary, but makes sense):
“uppādo pavattaṁ, pavatta nimittaṁ
nimitta paṭisandhi, paṭisandhi gati.”
- “Uppāda” means arising. When āsava (cravings) arise due to the triggering of anusaya (hidden temptations), we need to stop that temptation and break the cycle at “pavattaṁ” (which means keeping it or going with it).
- If we go along with the temptation (“pavatta”), then it becomes a nimitta (literally a “sign”). A nimitta is a characteristic that is associated with that particular act. For example, for an alcoholic, a picture of an alcohol bottle or a bar (or where one drinks typically), or even seeing a friend with whom one drinks often, can be a nimitta; when any of such a “symbol” comes to the mind, it reminds of the drinking act and gets one in the “mood.”