Reference

• 1: Pāli
• 2: Tipitaka
• 3: Websites
• 4: Magazines
• 5: Extended Backus-Naur-Form
• 6: How to type Pāli characters on a macOS keyboard

1 - Pāli

Resources for Learning Pali

The classical, literary language of Theravada Buddhism, with special reference to problems of indigenous orthography and phonology by Eisel Mazard (大影)

LEARN PALI LANGUAGE

Pali language grammar tutorials. Learn to read the Pali language for yourself. This blog is to help those wishing to make a first stab at translating the Pāli language & scriptures.

Learning Pali – Buddha’s Language

Buddhist Association of the United States.

A Course in the Pali Language

This course is designed to help you to learn the basics of Pali grammar and vocabulary through direct study of selections from the Buddha’s discourses. It thus aims to enable you to read the Buddha’s discourses in the original as quickly as possible. The textbook for the course is A New Course in Reading Pali: Entering the Word of the Buddha by James Gair and W.S. Karunatilleke (1998, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi, India. ISBN 81-208-1440-1). The Pali grammatical tables were designed by Bhikkhu Nyanatusita.

OCBS Courses

Online Courses from the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies

Pali-English Dictionary

Online version of The Pali Text Society’s Pali-English dictionary

Wisdom and Wonders Introduction to Pali

This course, Introduction to Pali by Ajahn Brahmali, is separated into 24 parts. There are approximately 20 hours of material, including lessons and exercises. The course is intended for those who wish to read content from the Pali canon, rather than those who wish to read, write and construct terms in Pali. The course uses Introduction to Pali by A. K. Warder as the core text, and covers the first 16 chapters.

Open Buddhist University: The Pāli Language: Level 1

This course doesn’t assume any prior knowledge of linguistics or classical languages, and so serves as a suitable introduction for anyone. Note that the examples will not be drawn directly from the Pāli Canon.

Grammar and Prosody

This section contains studies of the grammar and prosody of Buddhist texts, with original texts in Pāli and Sanskrit (together with extensive annotation).

Illustrated Glossary of Pāli Terms

This Glossary was originally conceived of as a way of supporting my own translations. Preparing it first of all involved gathering all instances of words in question together with their contexts. It would then usually become clear that words carried different meanings in different contexts. This was in accordance with the findings in Pāli dictionaries, which rarely consist of an explanation by a single word. The excerpts I found could then be divided into groups accordingly. Finding the correct English term for Pāli words when they are grouped on the same page turned out to be altogether easier than working with single passages or sentences and experimenting with terms in one’s head. By following this method, and sorting and resorting groups of quotes over days, months, or even years, continuously applying the find-and-replace tool, shifting backwards and forwards nearly two million words, it eventually confirmed or denied choices of my original renderings, and led to increasing confidence in my findings. Such a system of translation is only possible with computer leverage. With computers, Pāli studies have entered a new era.

2 - Tipitaka

SuttaCentral

SuttaCentral contains early Buddhist texts, known as the Tipiṭaka or “Three Baskets”. This is a large collection of teachings attributed to the Buddha or his earliest disciples, who were teaching in India around 2500 years ago. They are regarded as sacred canon in all schools of Buddhism.

Ancient Buddhist Texts

Materials from the early and medieval Buddhist tradition covering texts in Pāli and Sanskrit; line by line (interlinear) texts and translations; translations in English only; studies of grammar, prosody and compilation; maps, reference works and audio files.

Pali Tipitaka

This web site is based on the Chaṭṭha Saṅgāyana CD published by the Vipassana Research Institute. Based at Dhamma Giri, Igatpuri, near Mumbai, India, the Vipassana Research Institute also publishes literature & disseminates information related to Vipassana Meditation Technique as taught by S.N.Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

Tipitaka.app

Tipitaka.app is a free software built and distributed as a Dhamma donation. It will always be free and a property of the Buddhist World.

Digital Pali Reader

The Digital Pali Reader provides a database of the Tipiṭaka in romanised script with a search facility and the inbuilt dictionaries allow for instant lookup of any word

Tipiṭaka Pāḷi Projector

TPP is a software program to help one navigate the vast amounts of Pāḷi texts. It includes, 21 English Ebooks that can be displayed side by side with the Pāḷi texts. The Dictionaries and Search functions are where TPP separates itself from the other Pāḷi readers. It is very fast and totally off-line. It works on Windows as an installable Exe or MacOS DMG file too. The project can also run on any operating system that supports FireFox Web Browser. This application was created at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Maymyo. The FireFox version supports Sinhala, Myanmar, Thai and Devanagiri Scripts.

Access to Insight

Access to Insight is an HTML website dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and useful information concerning the practice and study of Theravada Buddhism, as it has been handed down to us through both the written word of the Pali canon and the living example of the Sangha.

Sri Lanka Tripitaka Project

The Sri Lanka Tripitaka Project is a public domain electronic version of the Pali Canon.

3 - Websites

DhammaCharts

The Buddhist Association of the United States ® (BAUS) is a non-denominational organization dedicated to promoting the Buddha’s teachings in the United States. Founded in 1964 by a group of devout Chinese Buddhists living in the greater New York area, BAUS offers a wide range of programs, including weekly Dharma classes, meditation retreats, and traditional religious rituals. Although rooted in the Chinese Buddhist tradition, BAUS does not represent any particular school of Buddhism, nor is it is affiliated with any other Buddhist organization. BAUS adopts a broad perspective on the Buddha’s teachings, and thus hosts programs by qualified teachers from all genuine Buddhist traditions, both Theravada and Mahayana.

Buddhist Association of the United States

The Buddhist Association of the United States ® (BAUS) is a non-denominational organization dedicated to promoting the Buddha’s teachings in the United States. Founded in 1964 by a group of devout Chinese Buddhists living in the greater New York area, BAUS offers a wide range of programs, including weekly Dharma classes, meditation retreats, and traditional religious rituals. Although rooted in the Chinese Buddhist tradition, BAUS does not represent any particular school of Buddhism, nor is it is affiliated with any other Buddhist organization. BAUS adopts a broad perspective on the Buddha’s teachings, and thus hosts programs by qualified teachers from all genuine Buddhist traditions, both Theravada and Mahayana.

Bodhi Monastery

Bodhi Monastery is a distinctive Buddhist monastery located in the rolling hills of Sussex County, New Jersey. Set on 188 acres of verdant woodlands and fields, amidst herds of deer, the monastery offers a fresh yet ancient perspective on the practice of Buddhism in today’s world. The origins of Bodhi Monastery lie in the comprehensive, non–sectarian vision of Master Yin–Shun, the foremost Chinese scholar–monk of modern times, whose work has inspired a Buddhist intellectual renaissance in Taiwan. In line with the vision of Master Yin–Shun, Bodhi Monastery aims to promote the study and practice of Buddhism as an integral whole rather than to focus on the teachings of a particular Buddhist sect or branch.

Buddhist Publication Society

The Buddhist Publication Society (BPS), founded in Sri Lanka in 1958, is an approved charity dedicated to making known the teaching of the Buddha. BPS publications generally represent the standpoint of Theravada Buddhism or Southern Buddhism, the oldest living Buddhist tradition of which the Pali Canon gives the most authentic account of what the historical Buddha himself actually taught. In a span of nearly five decades the BPS has become a major Buddhist publisher with hundreds of titles and a field of distribution extending all over the world.

BuddhaNet

BuddhaNet™ is the result of a vision to link up with the growing world-wide culture of people committed to the Buddha’s teachings and lifestyle, as an on-line cyber sangha. In this way, an ancient tradition and the information superhighway will come together to create an electronic meeting place of shared concern and interests.

Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center

Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center is dedicated to translating and distributing quality translations of classical Buddhist texts as well as works by contemporary Buddhist teachers and scholars. We embrace Humanistic Buddhism and promote Buddhist writing that is accessible, community-oriented, and relevant to daily life. You can browse all of our publications, read them online, and even download them for FREE, as well as request printed copies for you or your organization.

BuddhaSutra

The purpose of this website is to propagate Buddha Dharma to the whole world. As we all know that this is the Dharma-Ending age, Buddhism is getting weaker whereas our worldy desires grow stronger.

Scripto-Q

Scripto·Q is an e-book library initiative dedicated to making classical texts and commentaries on oriental philosophy and mysticism freely available and accessible in multiple dimensions — for the benefit of enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Pali Text Society

The Society was founded in 1881 by T.W. Rhys Davids “to foster and promote the study of Pāli texts”. It publishes Pāli texts in roman characters, translations in English and ancillary works including dictionaries, a concordance, books for students of Pāli and a journal. Most of the classical texts and commentaries have now been edited and many works translated into English. The Society aims to keep almost all its publications in print and to produce at least two new books and a volume of its Journal each year.

Bodhipaksa

I’m a Buddhist teacher and author living in New Hampshire, although I’m originally from Scotland.

Alan Peto

I’m Alan Peto, and I am passionate about helping beginners and Westerners learn Buddhism through my articles, books, videos and graphics in a way they can understand.

Urban Dharma

UrbanDharma.org is supported and maintained for the use of anyone and everyone interested in Buddhism.

BuddhaSasana

A Buddhist Page by Binh Anson.

BuddhaDust

The site is intended to be adopted by those interested in making the Dhamma their theme for meditation and for Dhamma researchers of all stripes. It is intended as a pattern, to be used as a basis for a personal desktop work environment or as a basis for promoting some view on the web, and should be seen as incomplete, needing correction, revision and improvement in all departments.

Open Buddhist University

Rigorous academics and thorough content coverage, the University offers a comprehensive foundation in Buddhist studies.

Ancient Buddhist Texts

Materials from the early and medieval Buddhist tradition covering texts in Pāli and Sanskrit; line by line (interlinear) texts and translations; translations in English only; studies of grammar, prosody and compilation; maps, reference works and audio files.

Vipassana Research Institute

Vipassana Research Institute (VRI), a non-profit-making body, was established in 1985 with the principal aim of conducting scientific research into the sources and applications of the Vipassana Meditation Technique.

interactive Dhamma Guide

The core of the early Buddhist teachings

Sutta and the City

We are a group of Buddhists, Mindfulness practitioners, secularists, and spiritual seekers. We cling to no particular tradition or doctrine. Our primary purpose is to examine the teachings of the historical Buddha and see how they may help us navigate the complexities of modern life. Join us, and see what you can discover.

Hamburg Buddhist Studies

Buddhism has enjoyed a prominent place in the study of Asian religious ideas at Hamburg University for almost 100 years. With the publication series Hamburg Buddhist Studies the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies aims to honor this long-standing commitment to research and share the results of this tradition with the community of scholars and the wider public.

The Buddhist Channel

Using the web and app technologies on content publication, the BC remains one of the world’s few dedicated Buddhist news services, providing daily updates and in-depth coverage.

Dharma Wangi

Welcome to Dharma Wangi, a space dedicated to exploring Buddhist philosophy and teachings. “Dharma Wangi” is a Malay term meaning “Fragrance (wangi) of the Dharma”. In the Dhammapada V 56, the Buddha said, “Faint is the fragrance of tagara and sandal (names of incense), but excellent is the fragrance of the virtuous, wafting even amongst the gods.” Here I document my thoughts and ideas on the subjects relating to issues in Buddhist teachings and its relevance (or irrelevance).

NORBU | Buddhist AI Friend

Svasti. Namo Buddhaya, how can I help you today?

4 - Magazines

Wisdom Experience

Wisdom Publications is the leading publisher of books and online courses on contemporary and classic Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation. We’re also the premier membership platform for Buddhists, having launched the Wisdom Experience in 2019 and now providing hundreds of hours of video and thousands of pages of books for our members to read online. Additionally, we publish the Wisdom Podcast and the Wisdom Journal.

Tricycle

Established in 1990 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization, The Tricycle Foundation is dedicated to making Buddhist teachings and practices broadly available. In 1991 the Foundation launched Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the first magazine intended to present Buddhist perspectives to a Western readership. Tricycle soon became the leading independent journal of Buddhism in the West, where it continues to be the most inclusive and widely read vehicle for the dissemination of Buddhist views and values. Our readership includes longtime practitioners, those who are curious about Buddhism or meditation, and those who do not identify as Buddhist but value the teachings of wisdom and compassion that Buddhism has to offer.

Journal of Buddhist Ethics

The Journal of Buddhist Ethics is the first academic journal dedicated entirely to Buddhist ethics. We promote the study of Buddhist ethics through the publication of research and book reviews and by hosting occasional online conferences.

Institute of Buddhist Studies

Over the course of its long history of producing quality Buddhist Studies scholarship, IBS has collected several archives of scholarly journals and completed numerous publication and research projects. Browse some of these projects below.

5 - Extended Backus-Naur-Form

@startebnf
(*
  Extended Backus-Naur form (EBNF)
  ================================

  EBNF is a code that expresses the grammar of a formal language.
*)

grammar = { rule } ;
rule = lhs , "=" , rhs , ";" ;

lhs = identifier ;
rhs = identifier
     | terminal
     | "[" , rhs , "]" (* optional *)
     | "{" , rhs , "}" (* repetition *)
     | "(" , rhs , ")" (* group *)
     | rhs , "|" , rhs (* choice *)
     | rhs , "," , rhs (* sequence *);

identifier = letter , { letter | digit | " " } ;
terminal = "'" , character , { character } , "'"
         | '"' , character , { character } , '"' ;

character = letter | digit | symbol | " " ;

(*
  Basic components
  ----------------

  These are low level components, the small building blocks.
*)

letter = "A" | "B" | "C" | "D" | "E" | "F" | "G"
       | "H" | "I" | "J" | "K" | "L" | "M" | "N"
       | "O" | "P" | "Q" | "R" | "S" | "T" | "U"
       | "V" | "W" | "X" | "Y" | "Z" | "a" | "b"
       | "c" | "d" | "e" | "f" | "g" | "h" | "i"
       | "j" | "k" | "l" | "m" | "n" | "o" | "p"
       | "q" | "r" | "s" | "t" | "u" | "v" | "w"
       | "x" | "y" | "z" ;

digit = "0" | "1" | "2" | "3" | "4" | "5" | "6" | "7" | "8" | "9" ;

symbol = "[" | "]" | "{" | "}" | "(" | ")" | "<" | ">"
       | "'" | '"' | "=" | "|" | "." | "," | ";" ;


@endebnf

EBNF Overview

Wikipedia

EBNF 2 Railroad

Webpage

EBNF Parser & Syntax Diagram Renderer

Webpage

RR - Railroad Diagram Generator

Github repo

PlantUML integration:

PlantUML

6 - How to type Pāli characters on a macOS keyboard

This post is based on a helpful article written in Vietnamese: Gõ chữ Pāḷi và Sanskrit trên máy tính MacOS & Windows by Dhamma Nanda.

First of all, install the “ABC Extended input source in macOS. Open System Preferences, then click on Language & Region icon, then select the Keyboard Preferences button at the bottom. Click on the Input Sources tab, then click on the + button to add a new input source.

Select the ABC Extended Input source for the English language as per the following screenshot:

Make sure ABC Extended is the selected (or default) input source when you want to enter Pāli characters.

If you wish to enter a specific diacritic mark with a character, prefix the character with one of the following keystrokes (letter together with Opt/Alt/⌥ key):

The ŋ (eng) character is entered as Opt+Shift+; followed by n. Other phonetic symbols are available when other keys are used together with Opt+Shift+. or Opt+Shift+;.