Dear Bhante Dhammanando,

Now that you've explained your name and background, I believe you
were one of the people who originally encouraged me to take up Pali
many years ago. For that, I am thankful, even if you've forgotten the
exchange.

About your recent proposal you asked:

>
>What say ye? Any suggestions, comments, criticisms?

Personally I don't mind the variety of topics, but when the doctrinal
debate starts to resemble a rehash of the Spanish Inquisition I
wonder if the list is moving in a useful direction. Shrill
accusations of heresy aren't what I joined this group for, and aren't
what made it into the excellent resource it is today. I do however
appreciate having learned something about the antarabhava
controversy, a subject about which I knew precisely nothing before
the topic arose here.

My worry is that it would be a shame to lose members who might leave
in disappointment if certain topics were banned. But it would also be
a shame to lose members who are saddened by the harsh, dogmatic
accusations which have appeared here recently. I don't know the right
answer to the dilemma. My best guess would be to leave the range of
topics as wide as possible, but discourage accusations of heresy,
personal attacks, exhortations to repent or the like. Demands for
sectarian conformity belong on some other list, but not this one, at
least in my experience of the usual open and friendly climate here.

So I might say aye, and I might say nay. I'm curious to see what
others suggest. The proposal to borrow Buddha-L's posting guidelines
also looks interesting.


best regards,

/Rett