Let’s study some important a-ending neuter nouns which we frequently encounter in the suttas.

kamma is one of the most frequently occurring a-ending neuter noun.

kamma = action, work

The word kamma occurs in many different forms indicating bodily / verbal / mental action, wholesome and unwholesome action and so on.

mūla is also an a-ending neuter noun. mūla = root, cause, origin, money, value

The word mūla often occurs in the suttas in a compound form – rukkhamūla.

Rukkhamūla literally means root of a tree, but its most common declined form – rukkhamūle (locative singular) – is used in the sense of at the foot of a tree, under a tree.

E.g. Araññasmiṃ rukkhamūle samaṇo jhāyati.
A monks meditates at the foot of a tree (under a tree) in the forest.

Here is a list of few more a-ending neuter nouns, which we frequently come across in the suttas :

• rūpa = form
• nayana = eye
• sota = ear
• ghāna = nose
• aṅga = limb, part
• indriya = faculty
• dāna = offering
• sīla = precept, virtue
• puñña = merit
• pāpa = demerit
• kusala = wholesome, skilful
• sukha = happiness
• dukkha = suffering
• sacca = truth
• jhāna = absorption
• ñāṇa = knowledge
• viññāṇa = consciousness
• maraṇa = death
• amata = deathless
• nibbāna = emancipation, liberation
• maṅgala = blessing

Let us translate a few Pali sentences into English.

1. Manussā samaṇānaṃ dānāni denti.
   Men give offerings to the monks.
   (The word dāna can be used in singular or plural – as dānaṃ or dānāni.)
2. Sappurisā puññāni karonti.
   Virtuous men make merits (perform meritorious actions).
3. Upāsakā sīlāni rakkhanti.
   The lay devotees keep precepts.
   
4. Purisā nayanehi rūpe passati.
   The men see forms with (their) eyes.
   
5. Buddhassa sāvako ariyasaccāni passati.
   The disciple of the Buddha realises the noble truths.
   (ariya = noble, passati = experiences, realises)