Dear friends,
we had a successful year in 2007, in which we completed The New Pali
Course Part I, commenced The New Pali Course Part II and Warder's
Introduction to Pali. This year, I hope to continue with what we have
been doing, as I outline the plan below.
Since the start of the year, we have seen a good range of discussion
going on. It is a good sign that members are actively sharing their
knowledge and opinions. So far, we have not veered off track, which is
also a good sign. There has been some confusion over members' names.
Because of the diversity of our group, we have members from various
cultures, and hence different names. Members are very polite in
addressing each other. In Asia, it is good to be polite, but overdoing
it can be embarrassing. Members are encouraged to provide a
self-introduction upon joining the group. I further suggest that
members introduce themselves to each other when required. This helps
to put formality at a minimum in subsequent exchanges. I also suggest
members to use real names or be slightly creative in choosing a
pen-name, but it is up to individuals.
I have received feedback from members on the recently changes at
Tipitaka.net. All positive feedback are always welcome. Feedback can
be posted to the group, or to the bulletin board on
http://www.tipitaka.net/
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Pali Study
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Pali study remains the main activity in the lineup for 2008. Florent
and myself hope to complete The New Pali Course Part II this year. The
target is achievable. We also hope that the postings generate some
interest to people to advance their Pali knowledge to the intermediate
level.
What is covered in The New Pali Course Part II will be useful when we
continue Warder's later in the year. I hope to catch up to where John
(Kelly) finishes, and then proceed beyond. It will probably not be
easy, because we will be dealing with extensive passages from the
Tipitaka. So, there be a slow down in the pace we conduct Pali study
in future as we move in more advance topics. We have to allow more
time to finish each exercise, and also allow time for some discussion
to happen.
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S.T.A.M.P
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STAMP stands for Sutta Translation Analysis Methods and Paradigms. It
sounds quite a mouthful, but it is really a compression of the group's
main objectives, as posted on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pali/
STAMP is a continuation and turning point in our Sutta translation
exercises. So far, we have incorporated the trilinear format and a
vocabulary list in our translations. This time, I hope to take a step
further with linguistic analysis (syntax, semantics, morphology) and
discourse analysis. We will also incorporate, when and where possible
and crucial, comparative studies of parallel texts in other languages,
historical and anthropological perspectives, as well as general
discussion on methodologies and paradigms.
STAMP will continue from where we left off in AN2. What we have done
previously will remain as foundation works and reference. There is not
yet a schedule for STAMP. Due to the load that I am having currently,
I can only commence STAMP late 2008 or even 2009. I will inform the
group when I have made further plans.
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Tipitaka Network
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Work will continue on Tipitaka.net. This include the ongoing work of
reformatting existing Pali texts and solutions into Velthuis/Unicode,
development of the bulletin board, and updating the contents of Sutta
Spectra and Pali Scope. I have plans to generate new materials for
Pali study, especially for beginners who need a bit of help. I will
let the group know whenever such materials become available.
The development of Pali Scope may take a different direction. This may
possibly turn into a group project. I will let everyone knows when I
have better plans.
Thank you.
metta,
Yong Peng.