The Certificate 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. This certificate course consists of the following course units designed to cover basic Pali grammar, reading and comprehension of selected Pali passages, and genres of Pali literature:

PGCP 01: Readings in Pali Texts
PGCP 02: Basic Pali Grammar
PGCP 03: Introduction to Pali Literature


The aim of this certificate course is to provide the students with basic language skills that they need to pursue their research studies in the field of Pali and Buddhist Studies and also to serve as a foundation course for the Postgraduate Diploma in Pali course offered by the Institute.


No prior knowledge in Pali is required to enroll in this course provided that the applicants fulfill one of the following requirements.

i. A Degree from a recognized university
or
ii. A pass at the final examination of the Oriental Studies Society (Sri Lanka)
or
iii. Any other qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board of the Institute


The course duration is 120 hours, running for three terms of ten weeks each. The PGCP 01 course unit will have a minimum of a two-hour lesson per week and PGCP 02 and PGCP 03 course units will have a one-hour lesson per week in the form of a lecture followed by tutorial guidance and discussions.


i. Two assignments for each course unit: 20 marks per assignment
ii. In-class participation: 10 marks for each course unit
iii. Three-hour final year examination for each course unit: 50 marks per course unit

Grades
70 - 100 - A - Distinction
60 – 69 - B - Credit
40 – 59 - C - Pass
00 – 39 - W - Weak

(i) Merit Pass
An average of 70 marks for all units with not less than 40 for any unit.

(ii) Pass
40 Marks for each unit or 35-39 marks for one unit with an average of 40 for all units is considered pass.