I'm forming a study group for the Pali language. We will use A.K.
Warder's *Introduction to Pali*, progressing at a rate of one chapter
per week, for a thirty-week course. This will be a collective learning
experience: I do not currently know Pali, & will not be acting as a
teacher.

HOW MUCH?:
There is no cost to join the study group. However, new copies of
Warder's textbook currently sell for $15.40. A quick search of
half.com, alibris.com, & abebooks.com hasn't revealed any cheaper
second-hand copies right now, but it's worth checking again. In
addition, if we end up meeting in a café, at least some of us should
purchase food or drink on a weekly basis. If we meet in a library or
residence, this shouldn't be an issue.

WHERE?:
Once I know who's interested, I'll try to find a central location,
equally convenient to us all.

WHEN?:
Once a week, probably starting in March or April (so as to allow
people time to get access to Warder, & to schedule appropriately).

WHO?:
Anyone. I hope others who identify as Buddhist will be interested, but
I also hope we'll see non-Buddhists with an interest in Pali
literature, Indo-European linguistics, or pre-modern Indian culture.
No prior knowledge of any language but English is assumed, nor is
prior knowledge of Buddhist beliefs.

Personally, I practice Theravada Buddhism, but don't believe it to be
any sort of One True Path; I'm eager to discuss perspectives on our
reading with Buddhists who see the world differently. None of us,
however, should see this as an opportunity for missionary work: either
trying to convert non-Buddhists to Buddhism, Buddhists to
non-practice, or Buddhists from one branch to another. This is an
opportunity for study & mutual education. (Tho, for those of us who
are Buddhist or who are otherwise inclined to do so, I think that
meeting a little earlier to sit before study might be productive.)