Re: Introduction

Dear all,

This is one of these days where I found myself responding to many
messages (8) that arrived in one day. In order not to clutter up the
archives, I'm responding to all of your messages addressed to me here
in this one message. Robert, Kom, Jaran, see below for my responses to
your messages. Usually I find writing one or two responses a day is
enough for me. I'm a slow thinker and writer so please have patience
with me and do not expect prompt replies or lessons right away.

Jon wrote:
>I don't have any strong views on how to proceed. I'm
>glad to see that there will be no compulsory homework,
>books etc, but a little concerned that you haven't
>said no exams - can I take this as agreed?!!

Sorry Jon for not mentioning that there will be no tests or exams.
However, the messages you and others post here will be under close
scrutiny for Pali mistakes.

Robert wrote:
>Jim,
>I thought your ideas for teaching were excellent. I like the
>idea of learning based on an ancient grammar text. Warders book
>is ok but this sounds better, or at least tanha thinks so.
>Actually, Jon, exams might give us some motivation? no homework
>is good though.
>Robert

Thanks Robert for your recent responses including this one. Warder's
Introduction to Pali draws much on the ancient grammatical system
since he uses the same technical terms. You will notice in the
bibliography his high regard for the Saddaniiti when he states: "The
finest and most comprehensive grammar, and standard authority on all
questions of grammatical analysis (usually followed in this book). --
p.382. This same Saddaniiti will be one of the standards I will be
using for my Pali notes to the group. It's great to know that you
studied (however briefly) under P. Masefield. BTW, do you have a copy
of Warder's book? I believe you have the PTS Pali-English dictionary.

Kom wrote:
>I think this is an excellent idea.  On yahoogroups, it is
>also possible to add "bookmarks" to the group allowing you
>to  create links to different website
>(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palistudy/links).  Unless you
>are planning to create a home page, this may be an easier
>way to go.

Thanks, Kom. I will check this out. The palistudy/links sounds like
the perfect place for such a page.

Jaran wrote:
>Hi Jim and All:
>
>Thank you for the info about on-line text and document.
>
>For those how don't know the web site, it is shown below.
>
>http://www.metta.lk/pali-utils/
>

Thanks, Jaran. I'll include this website on the links page. I wasn't
suggesting that everybody get a copy of Warder's Introduction to Pali.
But since a few of us will have a copy we can make good use of it.

Best wishes,
Jim