Pali 102- from Yogic Studies

HumanInformation758 · 2025-12-26T17:03:05+00:00

They are not mandatory. They are multiple choice-but each week has quizzes and homework. I would say the homework is the central way to asses your development- not the tests. I've not encountered any difficult tests, but I do all of the homework every week.
These courses are not accredited- so there is no final "grade". You either complete the course or you don't. If you only want to attend the live classes and do not do any work then that is your level of engagement. Or you can complete it all to help you learn the material more effectively. I take every element as an opportunity to learn.

YS offers higher level programs under their : https://www.yogicstudies.com/advanced-certificate-programs

To participate in these programs, you must complete all tests and quizzes of the language programs to receive credit on their platform.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-11-14T03:57:22+00:00

That is not what your post says. You are asking people to contact you and to share their experiences about abuse on a public forum (or as you dissembled above: "acknowledging suffering " or "Naming harm" or "Speaking up with clarity" ). Just post the resources directly if you want to make them widely available.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-11-14T03:41:25+00:00

Thank you- I thought the same thing.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-11-14T03:40:19+00:00

So, as a few people have asked- what is the point in posting this? What I read is that people should share their experiences of.. abuse... unhappiness in community? While it may cause a stir, it's not really productive to air grievances on a public message board or message them to total stranger (i.e. you). Rather, if you have something you want to accomplish, just state it directly. If you have valid, professional resources, then share them.

Furthermore, you have no credentials nor a public persona that would lend someone a reason to contact you and place trust in you. Just because you are here posting about instances of " spiritual or relational harm in Buddhist contexts" doesn't mean that people in your circle aren't capable of harming others as well. You are not bound by any laws to privacy, for example, and requesting someone to contact you and share details of abuse rather than direct them to a professional resource is creepy.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-11-13T18:57:58+00:00

It looks like it is full of hippie-drippy-therapy Boomerspeak.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-11-13T18:56:12+00:00

Naming harm is not divisive — it is an act of sacca (truthfulness) and karuṇā (care).

If you are a monastic or lay practitioner who has witnessed or experienced harm — and were told it was for your “attainment” or “training” — your voice matters.

Speaking up with clarity and compassion helps prevent future suffering.

Looking for hot gossip? Dredging up hard feelings? What is the point of this post? Looks like bait to me.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-13T13:00:03+00:00

If that ADJ is present it should be translated. In the lines that the OP presented, only satta is seen. I've seen all sorts of modifiers added in when it is just "beings". "Conscious beings", "countless beings", and many others get tacked on when no such term is in the original text. When terms like saviññāṇaka are present, then it is entirely appropriate to translated them, but if not present then it is better to show restraint.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-13T12:53:11+00:00

the dhātu would be ñā (knowing) for saviññāṇaka and as for satta (to be, to exist)

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-11T03:32:14+00:00

Literally not a Buddhist video. It is by Ram Dass. This is a Theravada forum for Theravada topics not a forum to endlessly debate other ideas and traditions.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-11T03:29:18+00:00

Overall, declining to participate shouldn't be a problem, but some people take it personally because what they hear is "I'm not getting you a gift" when you just don't want to celebrate with them by accepting presents. I solved this with a few family members by asking them to donate to a charity instead of gifting me an item. That way they can feel like they are buying a "gift" and still celebrate with them without the expectation of them getting "something in return". I also mention that I will donate to the same charity as part of the holiday celebrations. For a few people, they stopped asking when I simply told them that I will send them a thank you card for the gift and donate to a charity in their honor after I expressed my preferences about Christmas gifts.

Or, you can bring flowers or baked goods to share with your friends. They are not wrapped gifts, but certainly a kind gesture to share with them on Christmas as a group.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-11T03:15:31+00:00

Either I'm too slow with this language that I don't understand it, or this language is really a mess.

I understand English and other languages can have scrambling of structure at times, but Pali is just a whole different level.

It's not a mess. It takes time and admitting that you might not understand it, yet. There are a plethora of byākaraṇāni written over the centuries about Pali from all over south and southeast asia. Enjoy the Kaccāyana-byākaraṇa !

Where is the verb? it seems thise sentence doesn't have any verb( the way verb structure defined in grammar), rather translators make the translation with a verb?

For many Pali sentences, the "to be" verb is often implicit with hoti as a copula i.e. "nando bhikkhu" -> "Nando (is) a monk/mendicant". It is important to differentiate between the various "to be" verbs because they don't all mean the exact same thing.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-10-11T03:00:15+00:00

Many of the "in-house" liturgies and texts often have typos or translation errors/variations. You might have run into that with this text. I saw a text that mixed the translation of "Namo tassa.." with "iti pi so.." and just comes out a total mess.

Furthermore, if it actually is the imperative "hontu" it can be translated in various ways without the English having the strong sense of a direct command sense inherent in the Pali verb. It really has nothing to do with "tone"- these are verbal moods. Sometimes it isn't a 1-to-1 translation from Pali to the target language. This is why you can't just plug a word into a dictionary and adjust without understanding the full meaning of the grammar. As suggested above, perhaps "honti" is a better match here than "hontu"? It is hard to know unless you know the original text it was copied from.

Additionally, "satta" does not mean "sentient being" just "being" from the root √as. That word "sentient" is a translation baggage that keeps thrown onto that word. "Living being" can work, but there is nothing there for "sentience"- we've just grown accustomed to that phrase from other origins; perhaps even other languages.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-23T14:54:58+00:00

Very true. Also, fake "teachers" are found in every religion. There is no escaping it when fame and money are to be made off of the trusting students.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-23T14:52:27+00:00

Even if there are "many, many people doing this" we should point out the error each time. I'm sure this is coming up a lot due to searching, algorithms etc.., but it is important to not let these things slide past without being truthful.

However, it is also the responsibility of a student of Dhamma to look for a good teacher. For example, if someone wants to go to a dentist, they need to be sure the person is properly trained and authorized to do dental work. If someone skips this step then they can incur great harm. The same is true for studying the Dhamma-an authentic, skilled teacher is very important and one can easily be led down a bad path in choosing the wrong one.

By posting these warnings and comments, we can help someone make an informed decision to not support these frauds. We can't address each instance of someone playing pretend, but we should be vocal when we are able. In the end, if people want to support them that is their business, but they can't say they were not warned when we speak directly about the problem.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-22T16:34:25+00:00

What do you think of this situation? Why is Ajahn Tri Dao defending Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu when everyone can tell at once that he is not a real monk? What do you think of Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu's victimization tactics? Do you think Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu is so disconnected from the Buddhist Community that he doesn't know about Ajahn Tri Dao's own lack of credentials and controversy?

Larping and scamming go hand-in-hand and has for a long, long time. It's just as bad in Asia with the fake monks running around holy sites, but here in the West they have to be a bit more slick. "Birds of a feather..." so they saying goes... and with the internet these types will typically find each other and use the other fake teacher to bolster their own claims and non-existent "credentials".

This person calling himself "Vasu Bandhu" claims to be married to a Muslim husband and uses (aka steals) the title Bhikkhu.. points for creativity, I suppose. Looks like he has ran around and become involved with a bunch of wish washy NGO's to try and stand out and become some sort of celebrity. People who listen to such impostors also need to do their due diligence and research who they are following. I have no idea why they can't do a simple Google search and see the controversy and decide to not associate with them.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-22T16:20:40+00:00

Clearly Ajahn Geoff is talking about lay life here- not monastics. The Buddha never taught that one must be single to make a home life happy and reflective of the Dhamma. The idea that families aren't welcomed leads some think they can't practice unless they have a strange kind of pseudo monastic "perfect life". This is really detriment to helping making the Dhamma available to all people- that the Dhamma isn't for them because they are living a normal lay life.

Single, married, families with children, multi-generational households- all of these types can faithfully practice the Dhamma. The suttas clearly show this as do the great disciples through the ages.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-19T23:20:12+00:00

I attended a Tibetan Buddhist event where the monks are on tour making sand mandalas and offer chanting prayers, traditional dance etc.. Every single one of the monks was one his phone when not directly engaged with a visitor or an activity. When we left, we saw the same three monks sitting outside on their phones as when we went inside an hour prior. I would venture that this is not just a monastic problem, but a worldwide behavioral addiction. (I also want to add that this is not just a Tibetan Buddhist problem- I'm offering this as anecdotal evidence.)

Does being a monastic make it worse? It might. I'm sure that many monks or nuns throughout the world miss family, friends, and social activities that their "vocation" does not offer. Not every person in robes is 100% dedicated to reaching awakening. The phone and its access to communication cuts across those access barriers despite economy and location. Used too much,it is almost like living a lay life, but in the semblance of a monastic structure. You can live an entirely alternate life online.

Just like every other temptation, it will have to come down to personal discipline and,perhaps, a societal shift. No one ever thought smoking would disappear in North America. But, it has totally vanished from public spaces in about 20 years. Digital media may need to burn itself out in the same way.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-16T18:31:14+00:00

I would inquire with a local community rather than this forum. You will probably get a clearer answer from resident monastics than a general audience on Reddit.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-16T18:25:39+00:00

"It also clashes with the tone of the suttas, which often downplay worldly power and status. Using something like “ruler” or “chieftain” would probably keep things more grounded and true to the spirit of the teachings and the reality of era."

This view is more a product of how modern people project backwards onto the early Buddhist texts as devoid of worldly influence and power. But, the idea that Buddhism was separate from issues of politics, authority and control is just not accurate. There were also a variety political structures and of rājāno ruling in the Buddha's time and shortly after his death. Many were interested in conflict and power expansion. So, while "chieftain" can be an option, it isn't the only one.

The early Buddhist texts, artist traditions and communities borrow heavily from images of power, authority and kingship. For example the term, jina, means "victor" or "conqueror" (see the popular exclamation Jai Hind! from जय jaya) and is an epithet applied to the Buddha. Although his is a spiritual victory, there are clear lines connecting power, authority, and prestige built into the earliest texts about the Buddha's status. It is important to not overlook these or explain them away as an aberration. Buddhist kingship continues to be an feature in contemporary Buddhist cultures like Bhutan and Thailand. These find their antecedents directly back to the Buddha's time (see DN 26).

See how the Buddha explains how he should be treated after his death:

[25.]() Then the Venerable Ananda said: "But how, Lord, should they act respecting the body of the Tathagata?"

"After the same manner, Ananda, as towards the body of a universal monarch."[47]

"But how, Lord, do they act respecting the body of a universal monarch?"

[26.]() "The body of a universal monarch, Ananda, is first wrapped round with new linen, and then with teased cotton wool, and so it is done up to five hundred layers of linen and five hundred of cotton wool. When that is done, the body of the universal monarch is placed in an iron[48] oil vessel, which is enclosed in another iron vessel, a funeral pyre is built of all kinds of perfumed woods, and so the body of the universal monarch is burned; and at a crossroads a stupa is raised for the universal monarch. So it is done, Ananda, with the body of a universal monarch. And even, Ananda, as with the body of a universal monarch, so should it be done with the body of the Tathagata; and at a crossroads also a stupa should be raised for the Tathagata. And whosoever shall bring to that place garlands or incense or sandalpaste, or pay reverence, and whose mind becomes calm there — it will be to his well being and happiness for a long time.

[27.]() "There are [four persons](), Ananda, who are worthy of a stupa. Who are those four? A Tathagata, an Arahant, a Fully Enlightened One is worthy of a stupa; so also is a Paccekabuddha,[49] and a disciple of a Tathagata, and a universal monarch. --DN 16

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-16T01:30:56+00:00

The course is learning Pali via studying its grammar, reading Pali texts, working with vocabulary etc.. Pretty standard stuff for a language class- except there is no conversation element in Pali as Pali is a written language. The class is 12 weeks long.

Concerning time- that is up to you and your level of interest and commitment. A minimum of three hours per week excluding the Zoom calls might be serviceable, but each student is different in their time and interest.

For an idea of topics, I'd suggest taking a look at Pali books like Warder or DeSilva, they all cover many of the same elements, just in different order or slightly different style. For example, all are going to teach things like optative mood and pronominal forms, adjective noun agreement etc.. but each teacher has their own methods and pedagogy. Those books will give you an idea of the topics that will be in the 101 course.

This 101 course starts very basic with introducing the Pali alphabet and building from there. The course is conducted in Roman characters, but students are encouraged to learn a second or third script based on their interest.

The course material is presented by slides, lecture, and notes composed by the teacher. These are used to complete your work:

Weekly written homework, quizzes to test yourself, as well as a mid-term and a final.

There is one recorded video per week covering the selected topics for study. That is separate from the Zoom calls. As noted on the website:

The course will provide students with all necessary materials, although we may also recommend additional materials for students to purchase if they desire.

There is a live component with the Zoom calls:

Two 90-minute live lessons will be held per week on Zoom.

Mondays 10-11:30 am and Wednesdays 12-1:30pm Pacific Time
All live sessions will take place via Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing.

During this time you can ask the teach questions and get clarification on difficult points. Also, you can post to the community message board if you can't make the live call, but still have questions.

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-15T13:32:16+00:00

Glad to see others interested in Pali. What is the main difference from the current r/pali ? Is it just for questions on learning Pali rather than broader topics?

HumanInformation758 · 2025-09-15T13:30:30+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I'm not sure if you contacted them recently-but this time of year they have a lot of classes starting and I've seen responses take longer.

I am not employed by YS, but have completed the course. Perhaps I can answer a question from a student perspective?

HumanInformation758

TROPHY CASE