Dear Pali friends,

There have been some excellent, thoughtful posts on this topic, and I
find myself agreeing most strongly with Nich's, particularly the part
about "quick and decisive action" from the moderator in case of
personal attacks on the list in order to avoid "serious Pali students
abandoning the group & impoverishing it."

While initially agreeing with the revised charter proposed by Ven.
Dhammanando, I think that by restricting the topic of discussions that
much we would lose some richness. Perhaps the wording of the charter
should emphasize more that the Pali language is the main topic, and
that wider-ranging discussions should at least be grounded in the Pali
texts.

Also I think we all need to keep the "dead-horse" principle in mind:
some recent discussions have beaten the poor dead-horse to death!
Sometimes, it's appropriate to just let a thread end - even if one's
own opinion has not been the last word on the topic.

But, of course, as has already been pointed out, sammaa-vaaca should
be the most important guiding principle of the group.

Also "with metta & true gratitude for the resources this group has
made available",
John

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "Nich" <puthujjano@...> wrote:
> Dear Pali-L.
>
> Although Ven. Dhammanando's suggestions for a tightening of the
charter are
> attractive in some respects as there are plenty of places where
doctrinal
> arguments happily rage, I rather agree with Frank that this wouldn't
> necessarily solve the problem.
>
> I was subjected to personal attacks, or flaming, on this list for
suggesting
> that there might be corruption & interpolation in the canon, which is a
> subject well within the new remit.
>
> I suggest a far simpler & more foolproof method.
>
> As this is a moderated list I think that anyone making a personal attack
> should be warned by the moderator. If they continue then they should be
> barred from sending posts to the group (Perhaps for a limited period, or
> probation, before being allowed back).
>
> I think quick & decisive action is necessary to prevent serious Pali
> students abandoning the group & impoverishing it.
>
> Whilst the Buddha himself, according to the suttas, could be quite
cutting &
> express anger at times in correcting wrong views & behaviour, is there
> anyone out there who would seriously like to assume the mantle of the
> Tathagata & correct us all?
>
> Katamaa ca bhikkhave sammaavaacaa? Musaavaadaa verama.nii, pisu.naaya
> vaacaaya verama.nii, pharusaaya vaacaaya verama.nii, samphappalaapa
> verama.nii, aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave sammaa-vacaa
>
> "To abstain from malicious talk, to abstain from unkind talk"
>
> Surely we can keep the group within the five precepts?
>
> With metta & true gratitude for the resources this group has made
available
> to me, nich