Learn the Language of the Buddha
Namo Buddhāya! 🙏
Pāli is the language of the early Buddhist scriptures preserved in the Theravāda tradition. Learning Pāli is an opportunity to understand the Buddha’s teachings in their original language and to deepen our appreciation of the Dhamma.
Our PĀLI 101 — Pāli Language Course, Level 1 (Beginners) resumed on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and new registration is now open. The course is offered completely free as Dhamma Dāna, live online every week.
Each lesson combines grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation with short passages from the suttas, so students learn the language through the teachings themselves. Everyone is welcome, whatever your previous knowledge of Pāli.
Course Details
- Course: PĀLI 101 — Pāli Language Course, Level 1 (Beginners)
- When: Every Saturday, 8:30 AM Eastern Time (USA), from October 17, 2026
- Where: Live online via Zoom
- Who can join: Complete beginners, monastics and lay practitioners, students of Buddhism, and researchers and Dhamma learners worldwide
- Instructor: Ven. Dr. Nivitigala Sumitta Thero
- Cost: Free, offered as Dhamma Dāna. Donations are welcome but optional.
📢 No class on Saturday, October 24, 2026, due to a special event at Empty Cloud Monastery. Classes continue on Saturday, October 31.
Class time around the world (from November 7, 2026):
- USA (Pacific): 5:30 AM Saturday
- USA (Eastern): 8:30 AM Saturday
- UK: 1:30 PM Saturday
- Central Europe: 2:30 PM Saturday
- India / Sri Lanka: 7:00 PM Saturday
- Vietnam: 8:30 PM Saturday
- Singapore / Malaysia: 9:30 PM Saturday
- Australia (Brisbane): 11:30 PM Saturday
- Australia (Sydney / Melbourne): 12:30 AM Sunday
Local times for October 31 only: The class is at 8:30 AM US Eastern Time as usual, but because of daylight saving changes, local times elsewhere are one hour earlier that day: UK 12:30 PM, Central Europe 1:30 PM, India / Sri Lanka 6:00 PM, Vietnam 7:30 PM, Singapore / Malaysia 8:30 PM, Australia (Brisbane) 10:30 PM, Australia (Sydney / Melbourne) 11:30 PM. From November 7 onward, the times above apply.
📝 Register for PĀLI 101 (Level 1)
Please complete the registration form to join the course. Registered students will receive the online meeting details and further information by email.
Returning students are warmly welcome to continue, review previous lessons, and help newcomers as we learn together.
Start or catch up:
- Pāli Alphabet video
- Previous Pāli lessons (YouTube playlist)
- Subscribe to the Dhamma USA YouTube channel for video lessons and updates
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Level 1 is suitable for complete beginners. It starts from the alphabet and pronunciation and builds up step by step. If you are joining mid-course, the Pāli Alphabet video and the lessons playlist will help you catch up.
Yes. The course is offered completely free as Dhamma Dāna, a gift of the teachings. Donations to support Dhamma USA’s educational work are welcome but optional.
Please complete the registration form above. Registered students receive the online meeting details and class updates by email. We do not post the link publicly, which keeps our classes safe and undisturbed.
Lessons are built around real passages from the suttas, such as the Mettānisaṃsa Sutta (AN 11.16), with grammar explanations, verb tables, and exercises. Over time, students learn to read and understand short canonical texts in the original Pāli.
Yes, returning students are warmly welcome. You can review previous lessons, continue with the class, and help newcomers as we learn together. Even if you have fallen behind, we review regularly so everyone can continue together.
Please feel free to share this course with friends and anyone interested in studying the Buddha’s teachings.
May the learning of Pāli lead to a deeper understanding of the Dhamma.
With Mettā,
Ven. Dr. Nivitigala Sumitta Thero
Dhamma USA
info@dhammausa.com