I'm a newcomer to this board and am very excited at the chance to
participate on it! Pali is soon to be a very big part of my life, as
I just got accepted to an MA Buddhist Studies program in the UK. It's
unfortunate that I have to go out of the country for a good Pali
program, but Pali is only periodically taught at places like Harvard,
Cornell, and University of Chicago based on student demand, so finding
a decent beginners' level Pali course at an American institution is
pretty hit or miss. On the other hand, Sanskrit and Tibetan programs
abound. I guess that's just the state of things here...
I won't hesitate to say (somewhat whimsically) that I am expecting
this board to redeem all online discussion groups, my opinion of them
being pretty low right now. I'm growing quite weary of the mindless,
brutal bouts for internet prestige that are a constant presence on
these things. They are both a waste of my time and a hindrance for
me, and so should they be seen for any Buddhist layman (and how much
more so for a monk!). However, I highly doubt that I'll find them
here. I guess this is just a disclaimer of the attitude with which
I'll approach future participation on this board. Sorry if this is
all overly dour and morose, I'm really neither of those things!