Pali

Pali is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been widely studied due to its importance in Buddhism. It is the language of many of the earliest extant Buddhist scriptures, and the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism.

Etymology

The term Pali is used as a name for the language of the Theravadin canon. The word seems to have its origins from commentarial traditions, wherein the Pāli (in the sense of the line of original text quoted) was distinguished from the commentary or vernacular translation that followed it in the manuscript.

History

Pali is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent in the 6th century BCE. It was the language used in the ancient kingdom of Magadha, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of ancient India. The language has been passed down through oral tradition, with the first written records appearing around 1st century BCE on Brahmi script inscriptions.

Characteristics

Pali is characterized by its analytical structure. Unlike Sanskrit, which is highly inflected, Pali has lost many inflections and has instead developed a fixed word order and the use of particles. Pali has a rich literary tradition, with a vast body of literature including religious texts, historical accounts, and philosophical treatises.

Usage

Pali continues to be used as a liturgical language in Theravada Buddhism. It is also studied by scholars and students of Buddhism, who read the Pali Canon for its insights into the teachings of the Buddha. In addition, Pali is used in the study of linguistics, particularly in the study of Indo-European languages.

See also

• Buddhist texts
• Theravada Buddhism
• Indo-Aryan languages
• Brahmi script