If you want to study the Buddhist religion, then it will be a good idea for you to study the Pali language. Pali is the language that was used to write Theravada Buddhism scriptures in Sri Lanka during the 1st century B.C. This includes the Pali Canon, popularly referred to as Tipitaka in the Pali language. The word Pali literally means Canonical text. Pali is also frequently used for religious chants during rituals. It is rhythmic and sonorous, which makes it pleasing to the ears. There are non religious texts which have been written using the Pali language. This includes historical as well as medical texts. Some of the major areas where the Pali language is studied includes Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. The language also used to be spoken in Vietnam and India, before it declined.
Pali is an Indo-Aryan language. It is closely related to the Vedic and Sanskrit languages. The use of Pali as a Buddhist language was promoted by Budhha, who was opposed to the use of the Sanskrit language as a way of propagating his religion. He encouraged followers to use local dialects as a tool of teaching Buddhism. The sayings of Buddha were spread and became famous. They were eventually put down in writing using the Pali language, which was a mix of multiple indigenous dialects. With time, Pali became an independent and international language. The Pali language must have mainly evolved from the Magadhi language, which was the language spoken by Buddha. The a variety of the Sankrit language known as Buddhist Sanskrit was also used in Buddha’s teachings.
Pali is the language with the most religious literature in the world and philosophy. The Tipitaka consists of 3 areas. This includes collection of rules for monks, the teachings of Buddhism and advanced teachings. The Pali language does not have a specific script used to write it. This is because the Buddhist countries that used the language, each developed its own Pali literature. Pali is kept alive by Buddhists, monks and Buddhist scholars.
