1

"And what is the faculty of concentration? There is the case where a monk, a disciple of the noble ones, making it his object to let go, attains concentration, attains singleness of mind.

Why should "making it his object to let go" be translated as "making to-let-go be his object"?

Why does "it" refer to "to let go"?

Where can I learn the rule about this case?

Full content: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn48/sn48.010.than.html

|improve this question
  • The definition of object that applies here is "the goal or end of an effort or activity", so the sentence could be reworded "A monk, making it his goal to let go, attains concentration..." – ColleenV♦ Oct 3 '17 at 12:18
1

It in this case is being used as an indefinite pronoun, similar to it's raining or it's cold outside.

You can qualify the indefinite pronoun in a manner like It's raining outside in Los Angeles.

This can be done with make to mean make the situation X or make what {someone} is doing now X.

|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.