Dear Nina and friends,

thanks. After reading what you have written, I really look forward to
the commentaries. I am interested to learn about the Indian social
and cultural aspect of life in Buddha's days. As for the similes,
sometimes I find them wordy and dragging, but I'd like to learn to
appreciate them.

Yes, I'm also follow the thread on Kaccayaana. I do agree that
ancient grammars will have something to offer us. Unfortunately, I do
not have any of them. But I think it would be a good idea if these
grammars can be made available online.

Thanks also for your comments to Tipitaka.net. I am currently writing
on the Buddha's life and presenting it in an unique way. However,
because of the high demand for historical accuracy and research, I
may not finished it in the short term. Please have a look and give me
your comments:
http://www.tipitaka.net/b-cube/pageload.php?page=030701a

metta,
Yong Peng

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, nina van gorkom wrote:
Yes, it is with the commentaries different: very many unusual words.
But very interesting. I learn about village life in olden times.
People gave expression to their devotion with their decorations, the
golden statues and festoonwork moved along by machinery (yanta). I
learn about colours, the natural coloring, like coloring from red
lead. About putting milk in a conch. About trees I did not know of
before, like the coral tree. We should think of the kusala cittas of
the people of old who made such elaborate decorations. The Commentary
gives very impressive similes about the Buddha and Rahula walking
behind as you will see soon. Against the background of all this gold
glittering, gold dusting, festoonwork, the similes come to life.

You will also see that the Buddha is compared to an elephant, to a
lion, a tiger, a swan, and Rahula is compared to the young animal,
going behind. The animals used in these similes were considered as
majestic, awe-inspiring, and very beautiful. The young animal was
also very elegant but only at the beginning of its growth and
development.

I hope you will appreciate the similes.

> Y: As for the old grammars, can you tell me more about them.
Besides physically owning a copy, what skills/knowledge are needed to
understand them.

I like to listen to the experts. Jim started with Kaccayaana, on his
Pali study. About the other grammars, maybe he would post something
here? I do not know anything. I only found out that one can easily go
wrong without these old grammars. They elaborate in their examples of
the use of words. We can find out that there is always more to it
than we thought at first. Teng Kee also posted here some info about
translations of part Saddaniiti which is in Pali. Do you have this in
Pali? Then you could perhaps give some texts from it when you give us
the word of the week. Several people together could try to translate
the relevant passage.