Dear friends in the Dhamma,
In today’s Pāli lesson, we’re diving into future tense constructions using two important roots: hū (to be, to become) and √bhū (to be, to arise, to become). These forms are very common in canonical texts, especially in prophecies and teachings about karmic outcomes.
Verb Forms – Future Tense
Let’s look at the future conjugation of both hū (as hessati) and √bhū (as bhavissati):
PersonSingular (hū)Plural (hū)Singular (√bhū)Plural (√bhū)3rd (Paṭhama)hessatihessantibhavissatibhavissanti2nd (Majjhima)hessasihessathabhavissasibhavissatha1st (Uttama)hessāmihessāmabhavissāmibhavissāma
Sample Sentences
Here are some examples taken or adapted from canonical sources and commentaries:
Te taṇhāya vasaṃ na gacchissanti.
They will not go under the sway of craving.Divāvihārāya cetiyaṃ upasaṅkamissāma.
We will approach the shrine for a daytime abiding.Akusalaṃ na karissasi, pāpaṃ na sevissasi.
You will not do unwholesome deeds, nor associate with evil.Te dukkhakkhayāya viriyaṃ ārabhissanti.
They will rouse energy for the ending of suffering.So avijjaṃ bhindissati, vijjaṃ uppādessati, nibbānaṃ sacchikarissati.
He will destroy ignorance, give rise to knowledge, and realize Nibbāna.Paṭiccasamuppādaṃ desessāmi.
I will teach Dependent Origination.
Prophecies (Sumedhakathā, Buddhavaṃsa Commentary)
Passatha imaṃ tāpasaṃ, jaṭilaṃ uggatāpanaṃ;
Aparimeyye ito kappe, Buddho loke bhavissati.
See this ascetic with matted hair and great austerity; in countless eons, he will become a Buddha in the world.Imassa janikā mātā, Māyā nāma bhavissati;
Pitā Suddhodano nāma, ayaṃ hessati Gotamo.
His mother will be named Māyā, his father named Suddhodana, and he will be Gotama.Kolito Upatisso ca, aggā hessanti sāvakā.
Kolita and Upatissa will be his foremost disciples.Khemā Uppalavaṇṇā ca, aggā hessanti sāvikā.
Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā will be the chief female disciples.
Indeclinables You Should Know
ca = and
vā = or
Useful when combining nouns or phrases:
pupphāni ca phalāni ca
flowers and fruitsudakaṃ vā khīraṃ vā
water or milkputtā vā kaññāyo vā
sons or daughters
