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.