Dear Nina and Pali group,

I am sure that our Burmese friend is very knowledgeable about Pali grammar in the Kaccayana traditon. However, his communication is also not only uncourteous but deliberately condescending and even mocking. I am sure all of us who read this list know Bryan Levman to be not only an excellent Pali scholar but someone who contributes his knowledge in response to questions and enquiries in a open and courteous manner. 

Those readers not familiar with Pali grammar should know that the Kaccayana tradition is taught in Burma and is based on older Sanskrit grammars. However, this tradition is by no means the only way to learn Pali, and the comparative historical method developed in western linguistics is equally valid and effective. Our Burmese friend could have contributed his knowledge of the Kaccayana tradition to those of us who have been trained in the comparative historical method.

I wish us all the best for our study of Pali and practise of the Buddhist path, including the practise of the speech precepts,

Dhivan