This collection, entitled Exploring the Sacred, Ancient Path in the Original Words of the Buddha (Exploring the Path or ETP), offers readers and followers of the Buddha’s teaching a comprehensive survey and a practical resource for applying these ancient truths to daily life. While the series serves as a Pāli study program, those who wish to focus solely on the English translations and commentary will find profound clarification and inspiration for their journey.
Part One, The Rare Opportunity to Embrace the Dhamma, provides a succinct ‘Introduction and Guide to Pāli Pronunciation and Grammar’ giving an overview of Pāli grammar with its syntax, declensions and conjugations then in the following chapters, focusing on discourses that emphasize the rare (dullabho) opportunity to practice the Buddha's ancient, sacred teachings. It explores the "fortunate" nature of the current sāsana, highlighting the balance between practical application (paṭipatti) through Vipassanā and theoretical study (pariyatti). By featuring suttas intended to inspire gratitude and confidence through the examples of the Ariyan Disciples, the volume outlines the history of the Dhamma—from the Buddha's enlightenment to the lineage of renowned Burmese teachers Ledi Sayadaw, Saya Thetgyi and Sayagyi U Ba Khin—all supported by historical background and commentary (aṭṭhakathā).
Key Features of Part One:
- A Resource for Students: Specifically designed for Vipassanā students seeking the original suttas and background stories referenced by S.N. Goenka in his 10-day discourses.
- Pāli Grammar & Pronunciation: Includes a succinct "Introduction and Guide to Pāli Pronunciation and Grammar," providing a clear overview of syntax, declensions, and conjugations.
- The "Dullabho" Opportunity: Focuses on discourses emphasizing the rare (dullabho) opportunity to encounter and apply the Dhamma.
- Historical Context: Outlines the history of the Dhamma from the Buddha's enlightenment and Brahma Sahampatti’s request to teach the Dhamma to the great councils that maintained the Tipiṭaka to the lineage of renowned Burmese teachers Ledi Sayadaw, Saya Thetgyi and Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
Exploring the Path as a course represents a collection of Pāli lessons that are
brought to life in "bite-sized" sections with custom glossaries that allow a new
student to quickly absorb some of the most valuable teachings of the Buddha
right from the beginning of the course. The approach to learning is one driven
by a student’s desire to understand the underlying content.
Initially planned as a simple handout of selected suttas for participants of a Pāli workshop, it turned into an online Pāli Learning Program with vocabulary tools, audio for pronunciation and introductions to each sutta. Each lesson is presented with a short summary, an introduction—highlighting the context of the sutta with references to the Tipiṭaka, the commentaries, the historical background, and quotes offering a deeper understanding of the respective content—as well as Pāli and English presented side-by-side with selective vocabulary
Rather than approaching
the Pāli language with a list of vocabulary and linguistic rules,
the lessons use custom glossaries to ease the student into the more complex
tasks. The learning then comes from familiarity rather than memorization.
The course aims to keep the student motivated through the unfolding of these
ancient texts; learning the language becomes a natural by-product of the
process. It also intends to stir a student to further self-study by referring to
the complete suttas via online resources, aiding one to become more familiar
with the Tipiṭaka.
Most lessons are expected to take a Pāli student somewhere between
20 and 45 minutes to complete. These lessons are intended to be sufficient
keeping a student engaged, but not so overwhelming that they can’t fit into an
already busy schedule, even so to maintain their original spirit, some lessons
include longer passages than others. Some suttas are divided into more parts
and presented in different sub-chapters according to the provided contents.
Each lesson is introduced with a short summary, an Introduction, and Pāli
and English presented side-by-side with selective vocabulary. The student is
encouraged additionally to refer to one of the various Pāli dictionaries for
further references. Someone who prefers to read the Pāli directly without the
English translation, undergo some vocabulary training and listen to the audio
recordings may refer to the online version.
Endorsements
If you wish to receive the Buddha's teaching in his own words, or as close to them as possible; if you had a taste of Pāli, found it sweet and want some more – this book may be a real gift for you. While providing all the essential basic linguistic knowledge, it soon delves into the heart of the teaching, thus offering a bridge of inspiration to help students cross the hurdles of learning an ancient language. Taking these short lessons, you'll find that you are learning what the Buddha taught while learning Pāli, and learning Pāli while learning what the Buddha taught.
In my years of research and, most importantly, of practicing Vipassana, I found it helpful not to be entirely dependent on translations. Learning even a little bit of Pāli removes some of the buffers and assists in getting more of the meaning and message. And getting more of the message supports walking the path. I've also found it best to learn the theory from those who truly practice. I don't think that it is possible to thoroughly understand the depths and subtleties of the Buddha's words without continuously trying to actualize them. For me, the author of this book is therefore ideal to learn from: his life-long practice of the path joins the knowledge of the ancient language to support a deep understanding of the teaching.
—Michal Barnea-Astrog (PhD), author of Carved by Experience (Karnac, 2017), Psychoanalytic and Buddhist Reflections on Gentleness (Routledge, 2019) and other books
Klaus Nothnagel's new Pali study series is an amazing tool for studying Pali through the Buddha's teachings. I am so impressed by the tremendous effort he has put into it and its completeness. I highly recommend it!
Goenkaji always encouraged pariyatti (the theoretical study of Dhamma) as an important adjunct to paṭipatti (our practice). Now with this new Pali series, Klaus Nothnagel has cleverly combined lessons in Pali with key excerpts from the Buddha’s teachings. The result is both revealing and inspirational and an invaluable companion for serious students of Vipassana.
A masterfully crafted book that summarizes the Pali language in all its depth, yet in a way that makes it accessible to non-academic students of the Dhamma. Just as the on-line and in-person courses that Klaus has developed, it paves the way for a deeper personal understanding of the Buddha's teachings in an inspiring way!
—Jeff Glenn, Linguistics Scholar and Vipassana Practitioner
You now have in your hands this long-anticipated, well-tested, and thorough guide to the preserved teaching of the Buddha. May you make good use and achieve your aspirations.
—Rick Crutcher, Treasurer, Vipassana Community Foundation
Read more about Klaus Nothnagel and the making of his Pāli course Exploring the Sacred, Ancient Path in the Original Words of the Buddha.
Watch the interview with Klaus Nothnagel about 'Exploring the Path'.
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