pattha

Pattha is a term found in several South Asian languages and can refer to different things depending on context. It is not tied to a single, universally defined concept in English-language sources, but rather functions as a lexical form that can denote a reading, a text, a person’s name, or a place name.

In Pali and related Indo-Aryan languages, forms close to pattha—such as paṭṭha or paṭhā—are associated with recitation, study, or a lesson. In Buddhist liturgical and scholastic contexts, these terms appear in discussions of texts, chants, and instructional practices, though exact usage varies by tradition and language. The word transportable across scripts can reflect different nuances in textual or pedagogical settings.

In modern usage pattha may occur as a surname or given name in parts of South Asia, and it can also appear as a toponym in localities that adopt this phonetic form. Because pattha has multiple, distinct uses, accurate interpretation depends on the surrounding text or inquiry.

See also

Patha, Paṭṭha, Patta, Paṭṭhāna, and related transliterations of similar phonemes in South Asian languages.