Dear June,

> Isn't it a small world. I was just thinking about that, because I
> just met
> Ajahn Tong (I was on a retreat for about a month and a half at Wat
> Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong, just came back a few days ago) and in one
> of the talks the name Doi Suthep came up, and then I saw your
> website
> the other day, but I wasn't tempted to ask further. But now since
> we're
> here, I might as well...So do they teach Pali in the Thai script
> over there
> or is it in the Romanized script?....And how does it work? I'm
> assuming
> Pali isn't something you can learn in a short amount of time.

We will teach using both scripts. We have the Pali canon in book form
in the Thai script, and that is what the advanced students will have
to use, even if they are foreigners. For shorter courses, we will
mainly use the roman script, because foreigners cannot read the Thai
grammars. If you would like to study using the Thai language and
script, I have all of the standard Pali texts for the Thai system, and
we could easily do a course in Thai.
The idea is to teach short term (seven days, one month) intensive
courses for people who want a basic understanding of the language, and
long-term (as long as you can stay) advanced courses for people
willing to memorise paradigms and vocabulary and wishing to translate.

I was

> thinking of buying a house near Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong, so I
> wouldn't have to travel so much, since I was told they also teach
> Pali
> there (at Wat Phradhatu)....what's the difference between your place
> and their place?

Yes, I am not yet clear if you speak and read and write Thai... if so,
you could not go wrong if you went to Chom Tong - they have two level
nine Pali scholars there now, and I highly recommend it. If you
don't, there is no one who can teach Pali using the English language,
as far as I know.

>....and I just love Phra Ajahn Tong as well, he must be
> the kindest person ever! i think i was being so disrespectful but he
> kept
> trying to help me!!

I just came back from Chom Tong today... Ajaan Tong is my preceptor -
I can't imagine a kinder person than him in the whole wide world :)

> Do you know where or how I can get more information about the
> courses at wat doi suthep?

Please send me an e-mail, I'm directing the project.

> (i'm sorry if i sound a bit excited. i have this problem when i talk
> about
> buddhism, because i just love it so much)

Your English is exceptional if you are a Thai person... regardless,
please consider that you have my most sincere invitation to come to
learn at Doi Suthep, and if you would ever like to teach Buddhism and
Pali in the future, I would like to also extend the invitation to you
(or anyone else on this list) to come to help at the International
Buddhism Center at Doi Suthep.

Best wishes,

Yuttadhammo