Postgraduate Diploma in Pali

Scope and Content of Course

The Postgraduate Diploma course in Pali is designed to develop students’ skills in reading and comprehending Pali sources and to enhance their knowledge of deferent aspects of the Pali language and literature in particular, and Buddhist teachings in general. Eligibility for Admission Basic knowledge of Buddhism and acquaintance with Pali is a pre-requisite for admission to the course. Those who have a first degree from any recognized university in any subject/subjects are eligible to apply for this course provided they fulfill one of the following requirements:

i. A pass in First Examination of Oriental Studies Society (Sri Lanka) or a credit pass for Pali at the G.C.E (O/L) Examination

 or

ii. A pass in Pali at the Bauddha Dharmacharya Examination

 or

iii. A Pass in the Postgraduate Certificate course in Pali conducted by the Institute

 or

iv. Any other qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board of the Institute

Requirements for the Course of Study

The Diploma Course in Pali consists of four course units and an essay of approximately 2500 to 3000 words, which is considered to be the fifth unit. The course units are as follows:

PGDP 01: Prescribed Texts I

PGDP 02: Prescribed Texts II

PGDP 03: Grammar and Composition

PGDP 04: Pali Literature

PGDP 05: Extended Essay

Course Structure

The course will be of one-year duration, with three terms of ten weeks each. Each course unit will have a minimum of one hour a week in the form of a lecture, followed by tutorial guidance and seminar discussions.

Evaluation

i. Two assignments for each course unit: 10 marks per each assignment

ii. A three-hour final year examination for each course unit: 80 marks per course unit

iii. Essay: 100 marks

Grades

70 - 100 - A - Distinction

60 - 69 - B - Credit

40 - 59 - C - Pass

00 - 39 - W - Weak

(i) Merit Pass

An overall average of 70 for all units with not less than 40 marks for any unit.

(ii) Pass

40 Marks for each unit or Marks between 35-39 for one unit with an overall average of 40 for all units is considered pass.

Syllabus for the Postgraduate Diploma in Pali

Course Code: PGDP 01

Course Title: Prescribed Texts I

Aim

To develop the students' skills in reading and comprehension of Pali canonical texts

Content

The content of this course includeds:

i. Dīghanikāya - Aggaññasutta

ii. Majjhimanikāya - Ariyapariyesanasutta

iii. Saṃyuttanikāya - Kosalavagga of Kosalasaṃyutta

Method of Teaching

Lectures, discussions and assignments

Method of Evaluation

Two assignments

Final examination

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will be able to:

i. Analyze the sentence patterns and read the Pali sentences correctly;

ii. Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the Pali language and comprehend the content of the prescribed texts;

iii. Demonstrate the ability to understand the Buddhist teachings as shown in selected Pali passages.

Recommended References

Anuruddha, Kakkapalliye, (2010). A Guide to the Study of Pali: The Language of Theravada

Buddhism, Hong Kong: Center of Buddhism Studies, The University of Hong Kong.

Hinüber, Oskar Von. (2001). Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.

Jayawardhana, S. (1994). Handbook of Pali Literature, Colombo: Karunaratne & Sons Ltd.

Law, B.C. (1933). A History of Pali Literature, London: Indica.

Malalasekera, G.P. (1994). The Pali Literature of Ceylon, Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.

Norman, K.R. (1983). Pāli Literature: Including the Canonical Literature in Prakrit and Sanskrit of All the Hīnayāna Schools of Buddhism. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.

Course Code: PGDP 02

Course Title: Prescribed Texts II

Aim

To develop the students' skills in reading and comprehension of both canonical and non-canonical texts

Content

The content of this course unit includes:

i. Vinayamahāvagga - Mahākhandhaka

ii. Udāna - Vaggas 1-3

iii. Sumaṅgalavilāsinī – Bāhiranidāna

Method of Teaching

Lectures, discussions and assignments

Method of Evaluation

Two assignments

Final examination

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will be able to:

i. Analyze the sentence patterns and read the Pali sentences correctly;

ii. Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the Pali language and comprehend the content of the prescribed texts;

iii. Demonstrate the ability to understand the Buddhist teachings as shown in selected Pali passages.

Recommended References

Anuruddha, Kakkapalliye, (2010). A Guide to the Study of Pali: The Language of Theravada

Buddhism, Hong Kong: Center of Buddhism Studies, The University of Hong Kong.

Hinüber, Oskar Von. (2001). Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.

Jayawardhana, S. (1994). Handbook of PaliLiterature, Colombo: Karunaratne & Sons Ltd.

Law, B.C. (1933). A History of Pali Literature, London: Indica.

Malalasekara, G.P. (1994). The Pali Literature of Ceylon, Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.

Norman, K.R. (1983). Pāli Literature: Including the Canonical Literature in Prakrit and Sanskrit of All the Hīnayāna Schools of Buddhism. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.

U Ko Lay, (1990). Guide to Tripitaka, Delh: Sri Satguru Publication.

Course Code: PGDP 03

Course Title: Grammar and Composition

Aim

To provide the students with an adequate knowledge in Pali grammar and to develop their skills in composing Pali essays.

Content

A general knowledge of Pali grammar dealing in particular with the following topics: different

traditions of Pali grammar; the sound system; formation of nouns and verbs, euphonic

combinations (sandhi), compounds (samāsa), secondary derivatives (taddhita), syntax (kāraka) and indecclinable (nipāta and upasagga).

For composition, ability to translate passages from Pali to English and Vice versa, and composing

essays in Pali is expected.

Method of Teaching

Lectures, discussions and assignments

Method of Evaluation

Two assignments

Final examination

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an adequate knowledge in the Pali grammar for the purpose of textual analysis;

2. Read and understand Pali texts with the help of, where necessary, a Pali dictionary;

3. Translate passages from Pali to English and vice versa, and compose essays in Pali.

Recommended References

Anuruddha, Kakkapalliye, (2010). A Guide to the Study of Pali: The Language of Theravada

Buddhism, Hong Kong: Center of Buddhism Studies, The University of Hong Kong.

Buddhadatta, A.B. (1997). The New Pali Course, Part I and II, Dehiwela: Buddhist Cultural

Centre.

Warder, A. K. (2001). Introduction to Pali, Pali Text Society, Oxford: Pali Text Society.

Course Code: PGDP 04

Course Title: Pali Literature

Aim

To provide the students with a broad overview of Pali literature

Content

Course content includeds: Theravada canon, post-canonical pre-commenterial works,

commentaries, sub-commentaries, Pakaranas, poetry and other divisions of Pali literature. These

broad divisions will be introduced with an emphasis on the structure, content and historical

development of these texts. Pali literature developed in other Buddhist countries also will be an

aspect of the relevant field of study.

Method of teaching

Lectures, discussions, and assignments

Method of Evaluation

Two assignments

Final examination

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students will be able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge in

different genres of the Pali literature.

Recommended References

Adikaram, E.W. (1994). Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon, Colombo: Buddhist Cultural Centre.

Bode, Mabel Haynes, (2009). Pali Literature of Burma, Royal Asiatic Society, London.

Endo, Toshiichi, (2013). Studies in Pāli Commentarial Literature, Hong Kong: Center of

Buddhism Studies, The University of Hong Kong.

Hinüber, Oskar Von. (2001). Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal.

Jayawardhana, S. (1994). Handbook of Pali Literature, Colombo: Karunaratne & Sons Ltd.

Law, B.C. (1933). A History of Pali Literature, London: India.

Malalasekera, G.P. (1994). The Pali Literature of Ceylon, Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.

Norman, K.R. (1983). Pāli Literature: Including the Canonical Literature in Prakrit and Sanskrit

of All the Hīnayāna Schools of Buddhism. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz.

Saddhatissa, H. (1992). Pali Literature of South-East Asia, Singapore.

Winternitz, M. (1988). History of Indian Literature, Vol. II, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

Course Code:PGDP 05

Course Title: Extended Essay

Content

The students are required to write an essay on a topic selected in consultation with any of the

instructors of the Course and approved by the Director of the Institute. The essay should contain

not less than 3000 words and must either be a study or analysis of a Pali text (or part thereof) or a

study of any subject (doctrinal or otherwise) directly based on the study or analysis of Pali texts.

All students are required to submit their essay titles before the end the second term. The essay

should be submitted within 30 days from the date of the last paper the students sat in the Final Examination.