Re: Creating a Pali Tipitaka and Pali Literature Wiki-space

Bhante,


  My experience with the "Wiki" format (for scholarly collaboration) is that
it is not well suited to any subject requiring a high degree of technical
accuracy or specialization.

  Even a form such as this one (a "list serv") is superior for ironing out
the small details of a proof-reading or translation.

  However, I do think that a hyperlinked tipitaka could easily incorporate:
(1) existing digitized editions, (2) scans of existing MS microfiche &
images [e.g., "just click here to see the scan of the corresponding page in
the Cambodian edition..."], and (3) the ability for participants to "mail
in" their suggestions and corrections.

  An open wiki format is likely to reduplicate labour --and put an undue
editorial stress on a single "system operator".

  The reason that the Wiki format was invented was to facilitate "democratic
editing"; however, there are very few scholarly matters that can be resolved
with a vote.  I recently witnessed that the Wikipedia held a vote to
determine the correct name of Schopenhauer's birthplace; this begs the
question "why would a matter of fact be determined by 'majority rule'?" 
  --and, sadly, the majority do not know enough to make informed decisions
about scholarly and historical matters.

  However, the expanding scope of (1) available digitized images of Pali MS &
editions, and (2) the ability to render Pali in indigenous script, will
favour a cross-hyperlinked "canon" to enable comparative reading across
editions.  By the same token, one could enable comparative reading of
associated translations (i.e., "linked to" the corresponding page of Pali).

  The Tibetans are far ahead of the Theravadins in this respect; there is
already a "hyperlinked" Tibetan canon, with "clickable" cross-references for
almost every word --providing correspondence, definitions, translations,
variations, etc.

  I think that one big opportunity will be scanning microfiche to provide
digital images of existing collections on-line.  Microfiche is durable, but
inaccessible; putting it on the internet will be a big help to scholars
  --and monks in poor countries that have neither books nor microfiche viewers
(e.g., Laos!).

E.M.



--
A saying of the Buddha from http://metta.lk/
View Streaming Dhamma Video http://dharmavahini.tv/
Those who are infatuated with lust fall back into the stream as (does) a
spider into the web spun by itself. This too the wise cut off and wander,
with no longing, released from all sorrow.
Random Dhammapada Verse 347