1. Lay community - the Pali Discussion Group will be catered more for the lay community, rather than the sangha or academic communities, which have sufficient resources such as teachers and study materials. The group's objectives is therefore to pool resources to help those who are interested in Pali but lack of the necessary assistance and materials to start.
2. Peer learning - I'm not a Pali expert, though I hope that I could get some Pali experts in the group and learn from them. However, the group basically is for peers learning from each other.
3. Beyond Pali - Pali is a language no longer in use, the main objective of learning Pali is to read and study the Pali Tipitaka together. That will be what the group will be doing a few years (tentatively) from now. If we are successful enough, we may be starting projects for translation and free distribution of the Tipitaka in English or our native tongues.
4. General discussion - the group is not restricted to the discussion of Pali only. Topics on sutta study and meditation are also welcomed. However, the focus will be on Pali language (for now).
5. Promote Pali - active learning of Pali is the primary function of the group. I believe that learning Pali have two main advantages: 1. access to Tipitaka and other Pali literature (in particular the commentaries); 2. better understanding and increased faith in Buddha-dhamma. More people knowing Pali also have these advantages: 1. create more awareness of Buddha-dhamma; 2. generate more interests in the study of Tipitaka; 3. promote a friendly atmosphere in the Buddhist community for Pali learning.
6. All are welcome - venerable members of the Sangha, and Pali scholars, teachers and students from universities and colleges are also welcome to join and offer their valuable knowledge and experience.
metta,
Yong Peng.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Kelly
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 3:16 AM
Yong Peng,
This looks interesting and I have subscribed for now out of curiosity,
since I am learning Pali.
But how exactly is this new list different from the pali-intro-l?
Thanks,
John
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