The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.50

c11.50

³ The word *paṇṇākāra* means, since it is derived from Skr. *parṇa* + *ākāra*, "having the form of a leaf" and points to the custom, which is still common in India, of carrying fruits, sweets, etc., in the leaves of the banana or some other tree. Originally used in connexion with such offerings, the word came to acquire later the general sense "present." Cf. Childers, Pali Dictionary.