Re: Bhumibalobhikkhu Foundation

Hi, Amara,

> Thank you for the detailed explanations and careful study of the Kc,
> it is really wonderful to follow.

I hope it's not too detailed or pedantic for your taste. I've been
having visions of everyone fleeing to the hills because of it! I find
this type of study helps to break down the conceptual world of
language. And there can be a lot of dhamma in just one little word.

> I also have something to report that you will really like, I think:
I
> have found a real Paali treasure trove for you: publications from
the
> largest collection of Paali texts in the world, according to the
> director of the program, a vigourous 87 year old gentleman who is
> himself a treasure trove of knowledge of the 'recent' history of
Thai
> Buddhism.  His organization has printed 85 of the ancient texts,
some
> of which took thirty years to transcribe and translate.  The work is
> ongoing, although the last time they printed anything was in BE 2525
> [22 years ago,] when they printed 85 canons, including the
Saddavisesa
> Series: the Saddaniti Padamala, Suttamala and Dhatumala,
[explanation
> in the original Paali] I have ordered the Saddavisesa Series for
you,
> the price is only a little over 600 bhts for the set of three,
> probably a small set [I bought a set of 8 leatherbound volumes of
Thai
> and English Dictionary altogether about five times the size of Num's
> book for about 5000bhts.  And this was to replace my ancient PTES
> Dict. that is falling apart which is just one mediun sized phone
> book!!!].  The lady has checked the details about the shipping to
> Canada, the set weighs around 4 kgs and the shipping by sea will
cost
> 1000 bhts. including packaging, [by air it would cost around 2500,
and
> by sea it will take only two weeks] meanwhile please send me your
> address on or off list.

Thanks for the great news! I've heard of this foundation before. Their
Saddaniiti volumes are what I'd definitely want to have in my library.
I have sent you a message offlist giving you my address and about
reimburement. I'd prefer that the books be sent by sea which I think
might take about 3 months. I'm interested in the name Saddavisesa for
the series as 'visesa' is a word that I often have trouble
understanding as I did in my recent explanation of the first
derivation of se.t.tho. I think the sadda part is used like the sadda
(meaning language) in Saddaniiti but how do you understand the meaning
of the 'visesa' part in the combination with sadda?

> Another publication is exactly what you wanted also, [the BF people
> showed me a copy of the first volume, a modern, beautifully finished
> book] but I was told I have to go to Nakorn Pathom to fetch the
entire
> sets from the local publishers.  It's three massive volumes of the
> Kaccayana entirely in Paali, about twice the size of Num's Supaphan
> edition each, this set was edited by Pra Maha Nimitr Dhammasaaro and
> is for free distribution [although any donation is welcome].  I'll
see
> if some excellent friends in NP can bring them to us soon, [as I
would
> like them for the WFB library also,] last time they brought us the
> books on the history of the Pra Pathom Chedi from which I scanned
the
> photos uploaded in the photo section.  Otherwise we will go fetch
them
> and mail them off to you, you can send your donations to the
> publishers later if you want.

I'm very interested in having this Kaccayana set as well. I find the
size of it rather puzzling though as my Burmese copy of the
Kaccaayanavyaakara.na only takes up 411 pages. I'd be interested in
finding out more about the contents of this set, whether it contains
other works on Kaccayana as well. If I get this set I'd certainly want
to send the publisher a donation.

> In the meantime as soon as I get your address I will fax it to the
> lady at the BF and she will send the BF books to you right away, [we
> will be picking up about a hundred volumes of different canons
> [donations from the BF to the WFB library] soon and I will ask the
> chauffeur to take them the money at that time.  If you wish you can
> reimburse me after I've sent off both sets.

I have provided you with more details in my offlist message. BTW, I
just noticed that your dhammastudy.com server is down.

Thank you for your great help which I much appreciate!

Best wishes,
Jim