--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "Ong Yong Peng" <pali.smith@...> wrote:

> As for the English-to-Pali translation, I would encourage you to go
> through them, partially if not in full. Although it may be true,

there

> isn't any (commercial?) value learning English-to-Pali translation,
> there isn't really much opportunities for Pali-to-English

translators

> either. Hence, I view this issue totally differently from Bhikkhu

Bodhi.

>
> I think the Pali-to-English exercise develop my analysis skill, the
> ability to analyse Pali passages using a tool, which happen to be
> another language, English. On the other hand, the English-to-Pali
> exercise develop my synthesis skill, the ability to construct
> sentences in Pali. This forces me to think in Pali, and allows me to
> better appreciate the Pali sentences I read. It allows the reader to
> connects with the author.

Being able to "think in Pali" is part of my goal. I think the
ultimate goal for any Pali student would be the ability to
conceptualize a word without necessarily having to refer to it's
English equivalent. What's the English word for dukkha? Nobody
knows - there really isn't one. I appreciate the richness of that
word and would like to get it from other words as well. I have a
sense that translating from English would get me closer to that
goal. I suppose I am answering my own question now.

> It's not so much about 'value'. If you think it's good, then go for

it.

>
> Besides, many of us, including Nina and myself, have went through

the

> book together and put up the solutions online. We hope someone will
> come along someday to go through the solutions, and let us know of

any

> mistakes.

At some point I do hope to catch up to what you are all doing here in
these exercises. I will be sure to look closely!

> Btw, Dave, are you the one who were organising Pali study group in
> your area, or was it the other Dave or someone else. Frankly, I am
> getting a bit confused between you two. Would appreciate if you can

do

> some intro again. Thank you.

Well you asked for it. :)

First, no, that wasn't me. I live in Wilmington, Delaware. This is
mostly a solitary pursuit, and I'm lucky to find anybody interested
in Buddhism where I am, much less Theravada, much much less Pali. I
started studying Pali near the end of last year. I have been on and
off, but gradually moving forward. I was recently at the Bhavana
Society in West Virginia and something about being there gave me a
little push to go forward again.

Actually, and it may seem like a small thing, but finding that Pali
word processor gave me a big boost. One of my reasons for fizzling
out was that I simply hate writing things down on paper, and it takes
me forever. I have been a typist since 8 years of age when I got my
first computer. I do not have the patience for writing.

Been practicing for somewhere between 4 and 7 years (when does
practice "start?") but my initial interest was zen. I still
participate in zen retreats but my main interest of study right now
is Theravada. Aside from working on Pali I am going through Bhikkhu
Bodhi's Majjhima Nikaya course on his website.

I am also am undertaking a one year exploration of the Satipatthana
sutta, from a laypersons perspective. I actually got the idea from
someone who was "blogging the bible" believe it or not. But my blog
is here:

http://bloggingthesatipatthana.blogspot.com/

I have a 52 week plan for exploring the Satipattana sutta in
meditation and daily life.

I believe I have said enough for now! Thank you.

-DaveK (the other other Dave)