Use of Pāli

Explore the ancient language of the Tipitaka and Theravāda commentaries
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retrofuturist
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Use of Pāli

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings all,

In order to ensure our Terms of Service reflect current expectations as well as the learnings from past disagreements between members on the matter of whether Pāli can remain untranslated, we have now changed this rather ambiguous expression...
TOS prior to today wrote:Section 6: Use of English and Pāli

This is an English language forum, therefore posts must be in English with the exception of the very common and mostly well-known Pāli terms. Posting in other languages other than English and Pāli is not allowed, except for some common greetings, for example in the Introductions forum or in the resources for non-English languages sub-forums. When using less common Pāli terms, the English translation must be included in all sub-forums here. The only exception will be in some instances in the Pāli sub-forum where a translation may not be readily available or known but for the most part, English translations should be provided.
to this...
TOS, effective today wrote:Section 6: Use of English and Pāli

This is an English language forum, therefore posts must be in English or Pāli (i.e. the language of the Tipitaka and the ancient commentaries). As the majority of members are not fluent in Pāli, please consider the value of providing English translations for Pāli text where practicable. This particular section of the TOS does not apply to general greetings and salutations, nor to the Non-English Resources section.
:geek:

In essence:

- Pāli to English translation is appreciated, but this requirement is not enforceable.
- Members may request translations, but are not entitled to them.

Thanks everyone.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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tiltbillings
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Re: Use of Pāli

Post by tiltbillings »

The above is a good compromise. Also, important, in all the other forums as well the Pali forum, are clear citations of texts used, particularly the sutta material that is untranslated (as well as translated), giving the Nikaya and sutta reference numbers, so one does not have to do off forum searches to find from where the quotation came. This would make it much easier for find the sutta, to be able read it and see the quote in its fuller context, and it would help make the Pali forum more user friendly.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Cittasanto
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Re: Use of Pāli

Post by Cittasanto »

Hi Paul & Mod Team,
May I suggest a link to a dictionary, or forming one of our own with common words and basic definitions and maybe pronunciation?

Yours in truth
Cittasanto
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
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retrofuturist
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Re: Use of Pāli

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Cittasanto,

There's already a pinned topic called Pali Dictionaries, which should fulfil that purpose.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Cittasanto
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Re: Use of Pāli

Post by Cittasanto »

Paul Davy wrote:Greetings Cittasanto,

There's already a pinned topic called Pali Dictionaries, which should fulfil that purpose.

Metta,
Paul. :)
I had forgotten about that :anjali:
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
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cjmacie
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Re: Use of Pāli

Post by cjmacie »

Cittasanto wrote:Hi Paul & Mod Team,
May I suggest a link to a dictionary, ...
That dictionary uses the Pali alphabet ordering (as in the PTS Dictionary) -- takes a lot of getting used to.
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