Pãli Language

( All answers must be written in Pali language in Devanãgarî or Roman Script)

Paper-I

Section-A

1. Origin and Homeland of Pãli and its characteristics.

2. Pãli Grammar-(I) Technical Terms of Pãli Grammar-Akkhara, Sara, Vyañjana, Niggahîta, Nãma, Sabbanãma, Ãkhyãta, Upasagga, Nipãta, Abyaya, (II) Kãraka, (III) Samãsa; (IV) Sandhi; (V) Taddhita. (Apaccabodhaka-and Ãdhikãrabo-dhaka-Paccaya); (VI) Etymological derivation of the following words :-

Buddho, Bhikkhu, Sãmanero, Satthã, Dhammo, Latãyã, Purisãnam, Tumhe, Amhebhi, Munina, Rattîsu, Phalãya, Atthîsu, Raññam, Sangho.

3. Translation of two Pãli unseen passages into English.

Section-B

4. Essays consisting of 300 words on any one of the following :

(a) Bhagavã Buddho, (b) Tilakkhanam, (c) Ariyo atthañgiko maggo, (d) Cattãri ariyasaccãni, (e) Kammavãdo (f) Paticcasamuppãdo, (g) Nibbãnam paramam sukham, (h) Tipitakam, (i) Dhammapadam, (j) Majjhimã-Patipadã.

5. Summary of Pãli passages.

6. Explanation of Pãli verses in Pãli.

7. The meaning of following indeclinables (Abyaya and Nipãta) and their use in candidates’ own Pãli sentences :

(I) Atha, (II) Antarã, (III) Addhã, (IV) Kadã, (V) Kittãvatã, (VI) Ahorattam, (VII) Divã, (VIII) Yathã, (IX) Ce, (X) Seyyathîdam, (XI) Vinã, (XII) Kudãcannam, (XIII)Saddhim, (XIV) Antarena, (XV) Kho, (XVI) Mã, (XVII) Evam, (XVIII) Ettha, (XIX) Kira, (XX) Pana.

Paper-II

Section-A

(i) Life and teachings of Buddha from the Pãli sources.

(ii) History of Pali Literature-Canonical and Non-Canonical with reference to the following books and authors:

Mahãvagga, Cullavagga, Pãtimokkha, Dîgha-Nikãya, Dhammapada, Jãtaka, Theragãthã, Therîgãthã,Dîpavamsa, Mahãvamsa, Dãthãvamsa, Sãsanavamsa, Milindapanha, Petakopadesa, Nettippa-karana, Buddhadatta, Buddhaghosa and Dhammapãla.

Section-B

1. Textual questions, critical comments and annotated translations would be asked from the following prescribed texts :-

(i) Dîghã-Nikãya (Only the Sãmaññaphala-Sutta)

(ii) Sutta-nipãta (Only the Khaggavisana-Sutta and Dhaniya-Sutta)

(iii) Dhammapada (Only the first five Vaggã-s)

(iv) Milindapanha (Only the Lakkhana-panha)

(v) Mahavamsa (Only the Tatiya-Sangiti)

(vi) Abhidhammattha-sangaha (First, Second and Sixth Chapters)

(vii) Pãli Prosody : Vuttodaya-Anutthubha, Indavajirã, Upendavajirã, Vasantatilakã, Mãlinî, Sikharinî, Upajati, totaka, Dodhaka, Vamsattha.

(viii) Pãli Rhetoric : Subodhãlankãrã -Yamaka, Anuppãsa, Rûpaka, Upama, Atisayutti, Vyatireka, Nidassanã, Atthanta-ranyãsa, Dîpaka, Ditthanta.

2. Short Notes on Buddhist concepts dealt within the prescribed texts.

3. Explanation of Pãli Verses from the prescribed texts.