Pali Buddhist Texts: Explained to the Beginner

Pali is one of the Middle Indian idioms and the classical language of Theravada Buddhism. It is therefore important both to linguists and students of Buddhism. This introductory book centres on a collection of original texts, each selected as an especially important and beautiful formulation of a Buddhist idea. By means of a vocabulary, translation and commentary, each text is explained so concretely that it can be read with little preparation. Detailed explanations are provided for the many technical terms, which have frustrated so many western explorers of Buddhism. For reference, a grammar is provided. Sanskrit parallels to many of the words are given, as well as a special chapter comparing the two languages.

Contents

Introduction

7

Language and Literature

10

Pronunciation

13

Sandhi

15

List of Abbreviations

17

Content Analysis of the Texts

18

Texts with Vocabularies Translations and Notes

19

Summary of Grammar

123

Pali and Sanskrit

142

Two Types of Security

152

Bibliographic information