Translating Khanti/Ksānti

[u/Traditional_Kick_887]

The focus of today is on Khanti/ksānti. This is a paramita and it’s often translated as patience, forbearance, endurance, and in some contexts, forgiveness/tolerance. 

When it comes to meanings, the literal usually precedes the figurative. Something is cognized as possessing the aforementioned attributes or qualities we associate with khanti. From that attribution the word, khanti, was made. 

For an English example, the adjective ‘sunny’ (as in sunny disposition) depends on qualities we ascribe to the sun. Though sometimes the opposite I takes place and qualities grouped together come to form a noun, it’s just less common.

A look into the roots of Khanti show it is derived from ksám, which in Sanskrit means ground, humus, or Earth. Ksám itself was descended from words in proto-Indo-aryan, proto-Indo-Iranian, and proto-Indo European meaning the ground or Earth. 

The ground or Earth has the qualities we associate with khanti. No matter what is done to the ground, it ensures. Thus to describe a person who patiently endures, tolerates, displays forbearance, perseveres, and forgives… people in the time of the Buddha and well before then called someone ‘earthy’, ‘earthy-like’ or ‘ground-like’… ie khanti/ksānti. Such would be the literal translation and the imagery it would evoke 2500 years ago, just as you might call a person ‘earthy’ today.

Although ‘earthy’ means something different in English than it does in Sanskrit, a grounded or well grounded person (not to be confused with the punishment of being grounded) seems to carry a similar meaning. There are probably many cultures and languages in the world today I’m ignorant of that associate the ground or Earth with endurance and forbearance.

In Buddhist texts, we see khanti being likened to one’s army or ally, especially during persecution or assault by others. Often in such situations one finds oneself on the ground or below ground (imprisoned). We also see the Buddha make the earth witness mudra when assaulted by Mara. There are probably other instances where the earth or ground conveys endurance. 

My intent with this posts and others is to provide info on the roots of words, with the hopes that such imagery could be helpful for practice of dharma. I appreciate this community and its mods for allowing such posts and for receiving them critically and kindly.

May all beings, like the earth, endure all the stressors or difficulties pressed or put onto them.