davati; Thai-Pali phonology; Shan Buddhism

Many thanks to L.S. Cousins for the note on duyati, etc.; the passage seemed
to indicate that these were all variant spellings of the same word, but that
may well have been misinterpretation --albeit, not only on my part.

That being said, the relationship between Pali and Sanskrit roots is not
always parallell --but this is much more useful than anything I was able to
find on my own.

In reply to the comment from Bhante Yuttadhammo: I agree, the regional
variations within Thailand seem very interesting, but I have only my own
anecdotal observations to rely upon, as I've never seen this "written up". 
It is an interesting suggestion that better pronunciation in the North
indicates some kind of historical "devolution" --but I would tend to assume
this is again related to confusion over the relationship between script and
sound.  In the North, Lanna was supplanted by modern Thai characters (for
expressing Pali) at a later stage than Khom was supplanted in the south;
generally, where Pali has a distinct script, the awareness of the distinct
sounds pertaining to each character seems to be more evident.

Within Laos, each monastery I've visited seems to have a very different
aesthetic and phonology for Pali chanting --doubtless a reflection of the
very fragmented state of monastic education here (until quite recently). 
The division between Dhammayut and Mahanikaya was also quite deep (with much
mutual hostility expressed --according to the only historical source I've
read on this matter) until the forced reconciliation post-1975.  This former
sectarian division may account for differences in pronunciation as well. 
Naturally, one cannot expect many published sources on such matters in
Laotian buddhism!

I have been meaning to ask, also, if anyone on the list knows of any
publications on Buddhism in the Shan country (variously written as "The Shan
states", Shanland, etc.) or about the Pali tradition there especially.  The
region gains some reciprocal mention in major histories of Burma and the Mon
country, but I have never seen a single source about the history of Shan
Buddhism.  Of course, there is a pretty limited selection of books in the
libraries and bookstores that I frequent here in Laos...

In any case, it seems the Shan have a Pali tradition from about the 14th
century --and I would be very interested to know more about it.

I will mention further that I have some excellent scans "in digital form" of
Pyu inscriptions from Burma; if anyone has a special interest in Pyu
(properly Romanized as "Pyuu", I suppose) epigraphy, or reading Pali in Pyu,
please write to me off-list, and I can send you a copy by e-mail attachment.

E.M.

--
A saying of the Buddha from http://metta.lk/
View Streaming Dhamma Video http://dharmavahini.tv/
There is acquisition of demerit as well as evil destiny. Brief is the joy of
the frightened man and woman. The King imposes a heavy punishment. Hence no
man should frequent another's wife.
Random Dhammapada Verse 310