Letting go, Renunciation, abandon

[Jhana4]

In English meditation instructions you see the term “Letting go” a lot.

In translations of the suttas you see the translation “renunciation” a lot, as well as “abandon”

Are the three terms translations for the same pali word?

[Gabriel_L]

The answer will depend greatly on the context!

[sujato]

There are many Pali words with similar meanings. In fact, it’s one of those cases where Pali is much richer than English, so we often find ourselves using the same English word for multiple Pali terms.

Typically, “renunciation” would be a translation of nekkhamma.

“Letting go” might be mutti or paṭinissagga or nissagga, etc.

“Abandon” or “giving up” is usually used for pahāna.

[Jhana4]

@sujato

There are many Pali words with similar meanings. In fact, it’s one of those cases where Pali is much richer than English, so we often find ourselves using the same English word for multiple Pali terms.

Typically, “renunciation” would be a translation of nekkhamma .

“Letting go” might be mutti or paṭinissagga or nissagga , etc.

“Abandon” or “giving up” is usually used for pahāna .

Thank you for the very helpful answers!