Conjunction “ca”

Conjunction “ca”

The most common word for “and” in the Tipiṭaka is “ca”.

It is never used at the beginning of a sentence. It gets put after the word it is joining.

AN5.4 thero bhikkhu sabrahmacārīnaṃ piyo ca hoti manāpo ca garu ca bhāvanīyo ca.

A senior monk is well-liked and pleasing, and honoured and respected by his fellow companions in the holy life.

“ca” can also be used once at the end of a list, especially in gāthā.

assā gāvo ajā eḷakā ca

horses, cattle, sheep and goats

Conjunction “vā” meaning “or”

vā is used just like the English word “or”. More than one has the meaning “either … or”. It gets placed after each word it connects. It is also never used at the beginning of a sentence.

MN147 taṃ kiṃ maññasi, rāhula, cakkhu niccaṃ vā aniccaṃ vā iti

What do you think Rāhula, is the eye permanent or impermanent?

MN118 bhikkhu araññagato vā rukkhamūlagato vā suññāgāragato vā nisīdati.

A monk who has gone to the forest or the foot of a tree or an empty building sits down.