Re: Critical Pali Dictionary

Dear Yuttadhammo,

Sorry for intruding with this bit of praise.

It seems today somehow secondary that CPD was not recently resumed 'faute
de combatants' (Georges-Jean Pinault). It however remains the largest and
finest lexicographical project for Pali (started from a solitary Nachlaß) -
a milestone of scholarship in the most solid and perpetual sense [of
course: with the Buddhist proviso for perpetuity]. Perhaps even more than
any other dictionary of an Indic language (including even the noted
collective enterprises), CPD is a transgenerational achievement which
magnificently shows the task and very concrete results [also in terms of
true understanding] of Indian/[South] Asian studies. Moreover, past and
present detractors of 'Oriental' studies as form of domination may always
learn something really new from such undertakings which inter alia prove
'Benedictine' work was sometimes by far superseeded by non-Christian
endeavour. It is a pity that the manifold discussion of legacy and prospect
of South Asian studies only very rarely includes such major achievements as
CPD.

The Danish/international editors are to be thanked for graciously allowing
a free online version of all fascicules already published: this extended,
some years ago, its wide-ranging utility through combined search well
beyond the letters included. Several research reviews of
editors/contributors like K.R. Norman, the late Colette Caillat, and Oskar
von Hinüber are also of great help (I however know of no website
republishing them all).

with mettaa
Eugen


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