Re: files etc.

Dear Robert,

>Sounds like Canada is still a little chilly? We are starting to see
>some warm weather in Japan now.

Yes, it is still quite cold but hopefully we'll see some warm weather soon.
Most of the snow is usually gone by the end of March.

>The files sound well-preserved. Very interesting about how the
>dictionaries are ordered in pali. Is it then a western convention due
>to the fact that sanskrit held the interest of early linguists or is
>there some relationship to the anciinet pali grammarians (did they
>have dictionaries?)

The oldest Pali dictionary that has come down to us is the
Abhidhaanappadiipikaa by Moggallaana one of the grammarians. I'm not sure
of its date but it's from the middle period (?ca. 12th cent.). It is not a
dictionary like the modern ones we're familiar with. It's more like a book
of synonyms or a thesaurus and the words are not arranged in alphabetical
order. Sanskrit also seems to have been of interest to the old Pali
grammarians like Kaccayana and Aggavamsa who evidently based their
grammars on Sanskrit models. I include the study of the ancient Indian
system of describing Vedic & Sanskrit with my Pali study. I find that you
have to use caution in studying the old Pali grammatical treatises such as
the Saddaniti as they are by no means perfect or complete. A co-ordinated
study of Sanskrit helps to clarify many of the obscure points of Pali. It's
not that I study Sanskrit so I can read Sanskrit texts but it's mostly to
help me out with the Pali and to make good use of the Sanskrit dictionaries.

>I was wondering if we could invite Alex tran to join? she has started
>a translation into vietnamese of one of Sujin's books and might find
>a few interesting points on this list.

I'll discuss this with you off-list possibly tomorrow.

>I am going to start a little group for Dhamma study and Support
>foundation members: this is mainly for discussing  issues incidental
>to dhamma such as travel plans, translations, funding of projects and
>for friendly banter among friends. The sort of stuff that could go on
>dsg but is somewhat off-topic. Everyone on this list is invited to
>join  and I hope we will get quite a few memebers so that we can keep
>in closer contact. before I start it let me know if you think it is
>worthwhile?

This sounds interesting. Please let us know when you have it set up.

>A final point I never thanked Jim publically for the GREAT help he
>gave me a few weeks back during a major debate on dhamma-list . This
>is the post I sent to dsg when I was explaining the ancient age of
>the commentaries. Jims knowledge ensured the accuracy of the
>information I was able to give.
>rob

It was a pleasure to help you.

>ps I'll try to keep my finger off the trigger(delete)

Thank goodness!

Jim