Dear Pali group members,
I've just subscribed and hope this group will
thrive. Here are answers to the questions that
came with the welcome letter, by way of a quick
introduction:
> 1. Are you a buddhist?
I came to the point where I called myself a Buddhist over
a period of several years in my late 20's and early 30's.
I'm mostly affiliated with Tapovanarama Buddhist Temple
in Stockholm, Sweden. This is a Theravada temple with
a focus on meditation and dialogue between different branches
of Buddhism. I have also always had a love for Chan literature
and have recently been visiting a Chan sitting group, to learn
more, and because it is such a nice place.
> 2. Are you learning/teaching the Pali language? If yes, what do you think
are the common difficulties faced by students?
I'm studying Pali on my own, and Sanskrit at the University. One
difficulty for Pali students might be the relative lack of 'secular'
literature in Pali. This could help give a wider understanding of
the language, which would then be of help in understanding the Canon.
There is a risk that we never really assimilate Pali, but just
rely on the translations provided by dictionaries. This is more
like just reading English through the medium of an elaborate
cipher.
Perhaps this could be helped by Sanskrit study, but that is naturally
too much to ask of someone who already has their hands full
learning Pali. So I would hope to see more 'idea historical' studies
which place the Pali Canon into it's cultural context and explain
the points of similarity and difference between terms as used by
the Buddha, and by the Indian community at large in those days.
Perhaps this has already been done, and I just haven't found it yet.
> 3. Do you read and study the suttas, or other Tipitaka/Pali literature (such
as Abhidhamma, Vinaya)?
At present I read one Sutta from the Majjhima Nikaya each month, together
with some Dharma Friends: a layman and a few Bhikkhus at Tapovanarama.
I find this reading and discussion to be very inspiring, and I hope
to eventually be able to shift my main focus to the Pali.
> 4. Do you use any tools/guidebooks in your study of the Pali canon, or do
you apply any methods in your study?
I use Warder and Geiger, and the PED, and mostly read Canonical prose.
I'm in my infancy as far as referring to the commentaries is concerned.
I also hope to cultivate the practice of memorizing verse. I've found
that the short bits of Pali I've memorized in connection with devotional
services has functioned as a useful reference grammar! (I hope it may
have more character-building effects as well)
> 5. Do you meditate regularly? If you do, where do you learn/practise and
what are the methods that you use?
I have meditated regularly for about 5 years, though I am presently
in a lapse, which has corresponded to my returning to University. I
hope to take it up again very soon. I practiced Mindfulness of Breathing
and Metta Bhavana mostly.
> 6. Were/Are you involved in any translation works of the Tipitaka? Are you
interested in such works?
I am very interested in such works, especially as regards the
commentaries, and redoing such translations as are becoming dated.
But I am still at the student stage of learning the language.
best regards,
--Everett Thiele