The Term "Laddhi" in Theravada Buddhist Scriptures

Abstract

This study investigates the cause of the negative attitude of the term latthi (ลัทธิ) in Thai by searching from the context of use of the term laddhi as shown in Theravāda Buddhist scriptures.The result of the study shows that the term laddhi was first found in the Niddesa and later in the commentaries (Aṭṭhakathā). The attitude towards this term was used in rather negative ways. That is to say, it was used to name the
asceticisms who were against Buddhist teaching. Furthermore, it was used to talk about the Buddhist monks who disobeyed Buddha. In addition, it was used to call every Buddhist sects except for Theravāda (Vibhajjavāda) in the Kathāvatthu-Aṭṭhakathā, it is used to call every Buddhist sects, except for Theravāda (Vibhajjavāda). The attitude of using the term latthi in Thai which was developed from laddhi in Pāli shows that the usage was characterized in similar ways as in Pāli. Consequently, it shows that the attitude of latthi in Thai was influenced by the Pāli Texts, especially in the commentaries.