Discussion Forum - Intro to Pāli

Re: Completing a unit

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 15:03:10 GMT

by Pariyatti Outreach.

Hi Nisha,

Wonderful to hear about your path!

The 'Introduction to Pali' is a buffet of mixed materials. You may partake in them in any order and there are no tests other than some Quizlet flashcards and activities embedded in some units/lessons.

If you are new to Pāli it might be worth while to finish the syllabus (PDF or web version) of Introduction to Pāli Grammar and Pronunciation before moving on to Exploring the Path or Buddhasahassnamavali.

But of course also each lesson can also be studied at random. The whole school is informal studying of the language.

Completing a unit

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 20:33:25 GMT

by Nisha Yates.

How do I know whether I have successfully completed a unit? Is there a defined path to completing the unit punctuated by a test or something? I've been taking all the quizzes and have done ok. Should I just move on to the next unit?

Re: How to answers in Review units?

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:21:02 GMT

by Pariyatti Outreach.

Dear John,

Apologies for a late response. We did not receive notifications about forum posts (we will look into that). Did you find a solution? Otherwise I will check with my colleagues.

Re: How do I input Pali on Mac

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:18:55 GMT

by Pariyatti Outreach.

Dear Arun,
Apologies for a very late response; we did not get notified for forum posts. I see you figured it out, but perhaps the following is useful too.
On a Mac in the menu/icon bar (at the top, right, where you find wifi, bluetooth, battery etc.), there is an icon for the keyboards. There you can choose to use Unicode when needing Pāli. See screenshot attached.

Re: How to enter answers in Review units?

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 05:59:25 GMT

by John Arun Kumar.

Sorry about the mistakes in my post entry. I was using my mobile to access the course.

Re: How do I input Pali on Mac

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:34:08 GMT

by Arun Swami.

I figured it out. I can use the Keyboard Viewer and press the Option key to view the special characters. As editor, I can use Microsoft Word which displays the Pali characters.

How do I input Pali on Mac

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:18:47 GMT

by Arun Swami.

I installed the Pali Keyboard Layout as described in the directions. Now I need to know how to use the Pali Keyboard Layout to create documents in Pali. Which editor should I use and how do I use the Pali keyboard?

Thank you.

How to answers in Review units?

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 09:10:48 GMT

by John Arun Kumar.

How do we enter the answers where it required to use both Pali and English answers? Should we use a comma between the words or and? The answers that I entered using both these methods are marked as incorrect.

Where to report mistakes in Warder flashcards?

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 17:56:12 GMT

by Piyadhammo Bhikkhu.

hi,

i have just been going through the warder flashcard files. as is typically the case (i always have that when i make decks myself) there are a few mistakes in there. where do i report them best?

i just found 'tena' spelled with a niggahita 'teṇa' and 'mahārājā' spelled 'maharājā' in lesson 5 but i've had some doubles before that i can try to find, if desirable.

best,

piyadhammo

cinta or cintā

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:26:08 GMT

by Dan Ignat.

Hello everybody!

In the first quiz on Topic 1 it appears cinta-mayaa and in the lesson it is cintaa-mayaa, with a long a. Which version is correct?

Thank you,

Dan

Re: IPad and pali keyboard

Sun, 17 May 2015 14:41:02 GMT

by Raul Saldaña Montes.

there is a free app for IOS devices that is called Pali keyboard that allow to enter the Pali diacriticals
(just search for it in the App store)

Metta

Re: suta-mayā paññā

Sun, 29 Mar 2015 07:52:52 GMT

by shekhar katiyar.

maya came from hearing

suta-mayā paññā

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:28:37 GMT

by Vojislav Kovacevic.

Hello,

suta-mayā paññā is translated here as "wisdom from hearing".

How is suta-mayā from?

If it is ablative (as it seems to me), shouldn't it be suta-asmā or suta-amhā or something like that?

Where did mayā come from?

Re: EngPaliGrammar pdf, page 19 table

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 17:58:11 GMT

by Klaus Nothnagel.

Dear Vojislav,

you will find long-ii, as well as short i, same with u - uu, a - aa - so both will need different tables as they have slight difference at certain places!

metta,

klaus

EngPaliGrammar pdf, page 19 table

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 21:50:12 GMT

by Vojislav Kovacevic.

Hello,

First of all let me thank you for this course.

On page 19 of the pdf, section "Terminations with i-ending", there are double masc. and fem. columns and the values in them are different.

Am I missing something or is this a mistake?

Thanks,

Vojislav

14-day Pāli workshop near Eugene, Oregon, USA in August 2013

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:35:15 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Dear Pāli Students,

A 14-day Pāli workshop will be held this August at Camp Lane near Eugene, Oregon, USA. The workshop will be conducted by Klaus Nothnagel, and run on a donation basis.

For additional information and to apply please visit: www.pariyatti.org

With best wishes,
Pariyatti

Re: free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:48:33 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

As noted above, to stay up to date, you can join the Pāli workshop email list here:
www.pariyatti.org/P%C4%81li/P%C4%81liWorkshops/tabid/149/Default.aspx

We will send out an announcement about this course in mid-February and open course registration at that time.

Re: free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:20:18 GMT

by vikas singh.

Hello sir

I want to join this 14-day Pāli workshop from Aug 11-25, 2013 near Eugene, Oregon.

I am doing PhD in Buddhism and did my M.Phil. on Pali based Buddhism.

please suggest and reply.

Vikas Singh
PhD Researcher
JNU, New Delhi, India, 110067

vikas.sing.gautam@gmail.com

Re: Pali dictionary

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 01:38:21 GMT

by keren dar.

Scribd has a Rhys Davis that u can download to desk top

http://he.scribd.com/doc/106439877/Rhys-Davids-Pali-English-Dictionary

Re: Pali dictionary

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:29:22 GMT

by keren dar.

How can u use this offline? all instructions in chinese

thank you

Re: Pali dictionary

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:28:12 GMT

by keren dar.

This link does not work

Re: Pali dictionary

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:27:28 GMT

by keren dar.

This is a good resource thank you

Re: free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:26:26 GMT

by Otmar Küspert.

Hello,
no, I can't, sorry!
I happen to live very close to this German university, but I have never been to India.
There is going to be a course in the states directed by Klaus Nothnagel, who is also registered at pariyatti. HE once spend a year in India to take a course that lasted one year.
Good luck
Otmar

Re: free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:38:47 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

VRI offers various Pāli courses in India: www.vridhamma.org/Theory-And-Practice-Courses

Pariyatti is holding a 14-day Pāli workshop from Aug 11-25, 2013 near Eugene, Oregon. This course will be conducted by Klaus Nothnagel.

To stay up to date, you can join the Pāli workshop email list here: www.pariyatti.org/P%C4%81li/P%C4%81liWorkshops/tabid/149/Default.aspx

Re: free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:41:36 GMT

by Subash Khanijow.

Sir,
Can you recommend an opne univeristy for Pāli language,preferable in order
India
Sri Lanka
Others
I live in CA USA

Metta

free & open Pali course at German university of Erlangen

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:48:15 GMT

by Otmar Küspert.

Weekly Pali course free of charge at university in Germany (at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)

I wanted to pass on this information - possibly some of the Pali-students here live nearby and are interested in an academic Pali course free of charge in Southern Germany:

Those who live near the German town of Nuremberg might be interested in knowing that there is an open Pali course at ERLANGEN university. Anyone can join the translation class, everyone is welcome, even if only at times. Even very basic knowledge of Pali will be sufficient, however, the class is held IN GERMAN. We are going to translate the Dhammapada first. It takes place MONDAYS 18.15 to 19.45 hrs, starting Oct 29th. LOCATION: in the 'Übungsraum' on the 4th floor of the Kochstraße 4 building, Institut für Indogermanische Studien; For more information contact: otmarkuespert@hotmail.com

Kindest regards & METTA
Otmar Küspert

Re: 10-day Residential Pāli Workhop

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 04:54:33 GMT

by SHYAM SUNDAR.

RESPECTED COURSE CO-ORDINATOR,
GREETINGS!
I AM FROM INDIA.
UNABLE TO ATTEND THE COURSE.
CAN I GET ONLINE, THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURSE?
IF YES, PL. GUIDE "HOW TO"
REGARDS AND METTA
SHYAM SUNDAR

10-day Residential Pāli Workhop

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:42:30 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

We are happy to announce a 10-day residential Pāli workshop to be held in California, USA from Sept 23 - Oct 4, 2012. For more details including instructions on how to apply, please download this flyer.

Re: Pali Beginner Level - Auxiliary Grammar Reference

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:07:05 GMT

by Robert Arber.

Morning all!

Thank you, Klaus I do very much appreciate your reply, with it and others help finally I'm starting to make a little progress.

So, thank you!

And yes i like the idea of using say Warder (lightly for now) just as a reference look-up!

Again "very much appreciated" .

metta

bob

Re: Pali Beginner Level - Auxiliary Grammar Reference

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:06:11 GMT

by Klaus Nothnagel.

Dear Bob,

You may not really like my reply but I would just askyou not to get discouraged easily as you efforts seem to be great.

But as with all languages, especially with a ‘deadlanguage’ it just takes time. Many explanations will along with practice and actuallyreading the texts reveal themselves. Like those two/three endings for theplural ablative: -ehi/ebhi as well as the singular: aa/mhaa/ smaa/ often are understood once we understand thecombination that developed through the Sandhi (see Introduction to Pali – page 5/6 and esp. page 9. Often we find apredominance of one or the other endings in the later Palitexts as well, whichthen seem to be used more often.

You may find Warder, explanation of ablative page88ff, as well as Peniola, Pali Grammer, page322 helpful, but for a beginneroften too much and discouraging. Also there is no explanation as to why thoseendings occur given.

We have developed the ETP, as it seems more easy toread and learn along with the texts and the translation offered.

Good luck, much Metta,

Klaus

Pali Beginner Level - Auxiliary Grammar Reference

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:13:26 GMT

by Robert Arber.

Hello,

The Pali Primer by L. de Silver is great as a beginner text but I'm very much finding as I go along that it doesn't explain enough about some of the grammar as it comes up.

I'm presently at Lesson 4 and as an example it would be nice if the chapter was to go into a bit more depth where necessary, i.e. so that the information in each chapter was a little bit more clearer. Like why is there 3 ways to spell "From the man" or "From the uncle" or "From the farmer", and a little bit more detail about the cases in each chapter would be good.

So my question is; is there a Pali Grammar with more depth that a beginner could use as a reference tool to help him/her as they progress through these exercises?

Thank You,

bob

Re: Pali key board

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:29:58 GMT

by Robert Arber.

Hello,

Yes, please include me too in the above request when the Pali Keyboard Update for Windows 7 comes out.

I'm having a difficult time with getting the keyboard to work with using the Windows XP directions in Windows 7. Most of the time I find it easier to just copy and paste the Pali Characters.

Thank You,

bob

Re: Pali Primer-Lily de Silver-Lesson 4- Ablative Case

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:17:21 GMT

by Robert Arber.

Hi Subash

Thank you again you've given me lots to think about!

bob

Re: Pali Primer-Lily de Silver-Lesson 4- Ablative Case

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:18:16 GMT

by Subash Khanijow.

Bob,
The
By case in Pāli is expressed by- Instrumental Case
eg: narena- by the man

Re: Pali Primer-Lily de Silver-Lesson 4- Ablative Case

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 03:16:43 GMT

by Robert Arber.

"Ablative Case:=From
eg: nara=man
narā,naramhā,marasmā=ablative case: from the man"

Subash

Is it always from in Pali, i.e., my Oxford Dict. has it as :

Ablative case - Grammar: denoting a case indicating an agent, instrument, or source, expressed by - 'by', 'with', or 'from'.

While working through Lily de Silver - Pali Primer, I'm finding I need a more in-depth pali grammar than de Silver covers. Does anyone use for instance Charles Duroiselle, or A.K. Warder's Pali Texts as Grammar References or are they too advanced at this stage? Thank You,

and, Subash, thank you.

Bob

Re: Pali Primer-Lily de Silver-Lesson 4- Ablative Case

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 23:08:34 GMT

by Subash Khanijow.

Bob,
Ablative Case:=From
eg: nara=man
narā,naramhā,marasmā=ablative case: from the man

Subash

Pali Primer-Lily de Silver-Lesson 4- Ablative Case

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 22:12:44 GMT

by Robert Arber.

Hello,

First, I would like to say hello to everyone, I'm new to this forum so I appologize ahead if my question is inappropriate here, I'm sure advice (most welcome), will fix.

Lily de Silver's-Pali Primer-Lesson 4- is discussing the 'ablative case', I do not understand what this is?

Below is a couple of definitions I've researched:

ablative case

English

Etymology

From French ablatif, from Latin ablativus, from ablatus (“carried away”), past participle of auferre (“to carry away", "to remove”). See ablation.

Noun

ablative case (plural ablative cases)

(grammar): case used in some languages to indicate movement away from something, removal, separation, source. It corresponds roughly to the English prepositions "from", "away from", and "concerning".

In linguistics, ablative case (abbreviated abl) is a name given to cases in various languages whose common characteristic is that they mark motion away from something, though the details in each language may differ. The name "ablative" derives from the Latin ablatus, the (irregular) perfect passive participle of auferre "to carry away".

Would you please enlighten me as to what lesson 4 is getting at, thank you.

Bob

Re: My Pali and Buddhist Studies

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:17:54 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Yes, all the lessons will remain.

My Pali and Buddhist Studies

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:20:40 GMT

by Jonathan Reich Da Fonseca.

Only now I will go to devote more time to this studies here at the website. I hope this lessons will remain there because I begin late.
Anyway, I don't begin by zero point, I have studied already the Sanskrit for many years, in many things this helps but in anothers I will need to rebuilt new grammar rules.
So, I just hope that all lessons remain.
Metta

Re: ā

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:11:05 GMT

by Jonathan Reich Da Fonseca.

Install http://tipitaka.org/keyboard
After install
altGr + a -> ā

AltGr + shift + a = AltGr + A -> Ā

For people with English keyboard this is direct.
Metta

Theory vs. Practice

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:48:18 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Q: What is the difference in learning Pali for someone walking on the path and for those who are not?

A: That is a good question.

The difference is similar to that between someone who eats a delicious cake compared to someone who just sees it in the display of a pastry shop.

The crux of the Buddha’s teaching – maintained in the Pali language – is to apply in one's own life what he taught. He always taught with the intention to help people to live a better, more harmonious and less self-centered life – with the perspective to come out of the impurities that hinder one to do so. Whether we aim at complete liberation or not may be for the student of today less important in the first hand – the actual benefits we notice start once we apply the Noble Eightfold Path in life (these will be explained in more detail in the coming chapters of the Exploring the Path course).

These benefits usually instigate us to rouse more energy and efforts to keep on going. While all the links of the Eightfold Noble Path naturally support each other, the practice of meditation enables one to develop each one of them on a deeper level – as this is the only way to diminish the impurities that stand in the way; that burst forth repeatedly and again support doubts and fatigue and reinforce old habits. But with the deepened base of insight through Vipassana-meditation each one of these links gets strengthened, walking the path becomes more natural and right knowledge, based on insight and experience gets cultivated.

Of course – if you just want to learn Pali as a language – that’s a different story altogether!

Re: Pali dictionary

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:32:29 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Here is another option that is quite easy to use: http://www.suttapitaka.net/toolbox/dico.html

Re: Pali dictionary

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:13:39 GMT

by Jonathan Reich Da Fonseca.

I have also the Pali Text Society Dictionary that is very good. But there is one in my computer, an off-line one, that I use a lot and I consider very good and practical: PCED Pali Chinese English Japanese Dictionary, download at http://theravada-china.org/thread-135-1-1.html
It is Theravada Dictionary all about the Canon.
I hope this will help

Pali dictionary

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:30:27 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Q: Can you suggest an on line Palī Dictionary?

A: The Pali Text Society's dictionary is good: http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/

Re: the "a" in cut......?

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:36:58 GMT

by toni prat.

Hi Gary and Klaus.

It's easier if you think in spanish becouse then the pronunciation is like the a spanish letter.

indeed is the same with all the letters. it seems that the first translators of pali were spanish people

With metta

Re: the "a" in cut......?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:58:02 GMT

by Klaus Nothnagel.

Hi, Gary,

There is no dumbness anywhere. You may be right, we could have written: as the u in cut! But it wants to say:

The u in cut sounds different from the u in put but a bit like a, doesn't it?

The ou in could sounds similar to the u in put.

So these comparisions just want to try to give an idea - but as it says as well:

The pronounciation of letters should be understood as an exercise only to develop a feeling for the correct touch of the organs of the mouth, the correct pronounciation will develop when texts are read and proper awareness is given to this movement

Good luck & Metta,

Klaus

the "a" in cut......?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:05:15 GMT

by Lisa Wong.

Below is a copied and pasted section of the pali intro course.

I am very confused. Why does it say to pronounce the "a" as in cut when there is no "a" in cut??

Maybe I am just really dumb but I had to ask.

Metta.
Gary.
Also, I am logged in as Vicku chowdry but thats not me?? Weird.

Vowels can be short and long; a line over a vowel - ā, ī, ū - indicates a long vowel that resonates for about twice the time period of a short vowel10. As far as similarity to English is concerned the following pronunciation aid may be helpful11:
7
These are the main principles that were maintained through the ages. Although the same recitations of Pāli may
a - as the "a" in cut i - as the "i" in mint u - as the "u" in put
ā - as the "a" in art ī - as the "ee" in see ū - as the "oo" in cool

Hello and thanks

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:26:49 GMT

by Chris Mahoney.

I am delighted to have this opportunity, and I appreciate all the work that went into creating this course.

Re: Errors

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:37:23 GMT

by Pariyatti Learning Center.

Thanks for letting us know any errors you find.

This has been fixed at: http://learning.pariyatti.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=86

Errors

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:31:56 GMT

by Enrico Billi.

Dear Pariyatti,

I open this thread to have a space where we can put the few errors that sometimes we find here and there.

Maybe it would be useful.

For example: in Pali Intro, flashcards...Samma-kammaNta (now it is samma-kammata).

Thank you again and compliments for the wonderful courses!

Enrico