Hi,

I have just enlist and like to introduce myself to the list. I am 62 years
old, a retired professor of Biochemistry. I came to the Dhamma in the last
years of my career and moving into Dhamma study and practice has been a
natural and eventful process of my retirement. I have been studying Dhamma
since about 1992, initially by reading a lot of Dhamma books and writings of
famous monks and Dhamma teachers. I was actively involved in (and still has
some connection) with the WAVE group from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who have
been publishing Dhamma books (Ajahn Chah, Maha Boowa, Ajahn Mun, Buddhadasa,
etc) for free distribution worldwide. Initially I also read a lot of
Krishnamurthi and New Age writings, Thich Nhat Han, Dalai Lama. I started
practising meditation seriously from about 98 and going for retreats. About
that time a group of Dhamma friends decided to start a regular sutta reading
and discussion group. We have "finished" going through Majjhima and Digha
Nikayas and Books 1-3 of Anguttara Nikaya and are now in Book 2
(Nidanavagga) of Samyutta Nikaya.

The turning point of my practice was the regular group reading of the
suttas. It convinced me that what is there is all that is necessary for the
practice of the Dhamma as taught by the Buddha. While interpretations and
commentaries are often helpful to help in various specific passages, the
consistency and depth of the message and the Middle Way in its various and
varied approaches need not be added on further. I have been putting off
trying to read the Pali text, hoping to learn some Pali grammar first.
After some time, and with encouragement from a bhikkhu, I decided to start
reading the Pali text and pick up the grammer on the way. After all, the
purpose is to read the text, not to be able to speak or compose in Pali. So
far I have managed to satisfactorily read a number of suttas from the CSCD
text, of course with helpful reference, when necessary, from Bhikkhu Bodhi's
published translations.

Mettaa,

Khaik-Cheang Oo

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