This is a selection of the most helpful and pedagogic text and Pali resources I’ve found so far. If you've found something even more useful, don't hesitate to reach out and share it with the rest of us!

The guide begins  with tools that make it easier to enter the world of the Pali language and to use it daily. The next section gathers three sets of Pali resources built around three classic introductory textbooks, everything freely available. As you will see, A.K. Warder’s book has inspired the widest range of material. The final section, “Further resources,” broadens the guide, offering sites to explore the suttas online, some cutting-edge visual diagrams of the teachings and more.

Most of the mentioned text resources below, plus a few others, are available for easy download here in the Dhamma-Dana Archive.

Useful tools

Here are some neat tools for using Pali in everyday life, whether on a computer or other devices. Being able to write the special diacritics for Pali (like the scholastic Pāḷi) helps both you and others learn the correct pronunciation and spelling, avoiding the confusion that can come from leaving them out. Tools like TPR and DPD make it much easier to find the actual Pali passages in the suttas and investigate the meaning of the words. And finally, the flashcards will hopefully help keep them fresh in your memory.

Pali keyboard

Download: https://tipitaka.org/keyboard.html
Windows: https://github.com/jayadhamma/pali-hotkeys

This link will help you type Pali in Roman script with all the necessary diacritics by installing a simple custom keyboard layout for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Once installed, you can type ā, ī, ū, ṭ, ḍ, ṇ, ṁ, and all other diacritical characters directly – no need for copy-paste or special symbol dialogs. For many Pali practitioners, this might be the quickest and most reliable way to type correct canonical-form Pali on their devices.

If you're a Windows user, you may also want use my new AutoHotkey script, which you can download here: https://github.com/jayadhamma/pali-hotkeys. It adds support for the modern niggahīta "ṁ" (dot-above m) according to the ISO 15919 standard, as well as all the other required letters in both lowercase and uppercase.

Tipitaka Pali Reader (TPR)

Download: https://americanmonk.org/tipitaka-pali-reader/

Among the most useful tools available today for anyone studying Pali, the Tipiṭaka Pāli Reader (TPR) stands out. It's a free, multi-platform offline app that makes reading and exploring the Pali Canon straightforward and efficient. It includes a built-in dictionary system that draws from multiple Pali dictionaries at once, allowing instant word lookups, and also offers optional AI-based context support for quick explanations of phrases or grammatical constructions. With fast full-text search and a clean, responsive interface, it's currently the go-to user-friendly app for reading Pali. Available in many app stores.

Digital Pali Dictionary (DPD)

Download: https://digitalpalidictionary.github.io/
Online version: https://www.dpdict.net/

The Digital Pali Dictionary (DPD) is a more advanced and feature-rich offline tool compared to TPR, offering deep grammatical analysis and detailed lexical information. While it takes a bit more effort to install (requiring a compatible dictionary app such as GoldenDict, MDict, or DictTango), it rewards the user with powerful features: automatic recognition of nearly all inflected forms, declension and conjugation tables, sandhi and compound breakdowns, root and word-family information, and example sentences drawn directly from the suttas. Many learners use it alongside TPR: TPR for smooth reading, DPD for exploring the finer details of Pali grammar and vocabulary.

Anki Flashcards

Download: https://apps.ankiweb.net/

Flashcards are a simple and effective way to learn and memorize vocabulary, grammar, or any other information by testing yourself repeatedly over time. The Anki app provides a flexible platform for digital flashcards using a spaced-repetition system that shows difficult items more often and spaces out those you've already mastered. Anki is easy to install on a computer or phone for offline use and can sync across devices with a free AnkiWeb account. Many pre-made decks are available, covering Pali vocabulary, grammar, and canonical examples, and you can create your own custom cards.

Pali Course 1: A.K. Warder

Based on A.K. Warder's foundational textbook "Introduction to Pali," this collection of learning resources provides multiple pathways for studying the language of the early Buddhist scriptures. Each resource complements Warder's systematic approach, helping you memorize and understand the material.

A.K. Warder – Introduction to Pali (2001)

Download PDF: https://wiswo.org/books/_resources/book-reference-pdfs/Warder-2001-Introduction-to-Pali.pdf

Warder's textbook from 1963 is still the go-to starting point for anyone wanting a solid entry into the language of the early Buddhist texts. It leads the reader through 27 carefully structured lessons, beginning with the basics and gradually building toward more complex patterns of Pali grammar. One of the book's strengths is its use of authentic passages from the Canon right from the beginning, giving learners a feel for how the language works in real scriptural contexts. Warder's book remains the nucleus of much modern Pali study and is the central point around which other resources in this guide revolve.

Wisdom & Wonders: Introduction to Pali course (24 lessons)

Download or use online: https://wiswo.org/itp/
(This link might be flagged as dangerous for some strange reason)

This course by Ajahn Brahmali transforms Warder's textbook into an accessible audio-visual learning experience spanning 24 lessons with approximately 20 hours of content. It covers Warder's first 16 chapters, encompassing about 90% of essential grammatical topics. Each lesson features recorded explanations with integrated audio, downloadable PDFs, and interactive exercises. The course is also available for easy offline study.

John Kelly: Answer Key for Warder (2005)

Download PDF: https://audiobuddha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Answers.pdf

John Kelly's answer key provides worked solutions to the exercises in Warder's book, offering literal translations and notes that clarify common grammatical difficulties. It is especially useful for self-study students.

Ajahn Brahmali: A Key to the Exercises (2003)

Download PDF: https://wiswo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Key-to-the-Exercises-in-AK-Warders-Intro-to-Pali-A-Ven.-Brahmali.pdf
(This link might be flagged as dangerous for some reason)

This PDF gives worked solutions to Warder's exercises, along with literal translations and grammatical notes. Reference links allow tracing each example to its original scriptural or grammatical context, deepening comprehension and familiarity with canonical Pāli style.

Learn Pali Channel: Introduction to Pali Series

Watch: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf6RXFuRpeLTvIFPAE29Ev5bjoFf8mVVY&si=ECAMwnMG4qYhxTPB

This YouTube playlist provides video instruction following Warder's textbook, offering visual and auditory reinforcement of grammar. Visit the Learn Pali Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LearnPali

Anki Flashcards: Deck based on A.K. Warder's book

Download: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/189368187

This deck covers vocabulary and grammatical forms presented in Warder's textbook up to chapter 10, enabling spaced-repetition learning.

Justin Meiland: Warder additions (2010)

Download PDF: https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/short-url/n3ssRievgRQKfvTzqfKhNT3RDh7.pdf

This supplement expands on Warder's lessons with commentary, grammatical clarifications, cultural context, and pronunciation guidance.

Pali Course 2: Lily de Silva

This course centers on Lily de Silva's "Pali Primer", a well-known beginner textbook praised for its clarity and simplicity. It provides an easy entry into Pali with gentle, step-by-step lessons, without the heavy grammar load found in Warder or the quicker reading-based style of Gair & Karunatillake.

Lily de Silva – Pali Primer (2008)

Download PDF: https://www.baus.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DeSilvaPaliPrimer.pdf

The textbook introduces basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation step by step. Unlike Gair & Karunatillake or Warder, the de Silva Primer doesn't include sutta examples, focusing instead on clear explanations and exercises.

Open Buddhist University: The Pali Language (2020)

Course overview: https://buddhistuniversity.net/courses/pali-primer

This online course mainly adds audio lessons to the de Silva textbook, allowing learners to hear pronunciation and pacing. The lessons reinforce the textbook content and help with listening and oral practice.

Bhikkhu Bodhi: Pali Primer course (2021)

Download or stream: https://archive.org/details/pali-primer_bhikkhu-bodhi

These downloadable audio lessons provide high-quality recordings, following the structure of the de Silva textbook. The streaming option allows convenient study on the go.

Pali Course 3: Gair & Karunatillake

Unlike Warder, which builds systematically through grammar first, or de Silva, which emphasizes a gentle introduction, Gair & Karunatillake jumps quickly into reading exercises using passages from canonical texts. It is useful for learners who want to start reading real Pali early.

Gair & Karunatillake – A New Course in Reading Pali (2005)

Download PDF: https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/short-url/mBhQVl7DaZYFUOWC3v836gSEZ5j.pdf

Bodhi Monastery: A course in the Pali language (2008)

Course material: https://bodhimonastery.org/a-course-in-the-pali-language.html

This course supplements the textbook with structured lessons, exercises, and explanations for self-study, helping learners reinforce reading and grammar skills.

Bhikkhu Bodhi: Audio lessons (2005)

Download or stream: https://archive.org/details/NewPaliCourse

The audio lessons provide clear pronunciation and oral reading practice. Combined with PDF and online lessons, this is a reliable resource for building solid Pali reading skills.

Further resources

The further resources section brings together handy online and print tools to explore the Pali Canon, study grammar, and visualize key teachings. It includes sites for reading suttas, grammar guides, visual diagrams, and recommended books—useful extras to support your Pali learning.

Sutta Central: Early Buddhist texts

Read online: https://suttacentral.net/

Sutta Central is a comprehensive, copyright-free resource for exploring the Pali Canon and related texts. It offers carefully compiled editions of the suttas in Pali, along with translations into multiple languages including English, Chinese, French, German, Thai, and more. Side-by-side comparisons, search functions, and study tools make it invaluable for learners.

The Buddha's Words

Read online: https://thebuddhaswords.net/

This site allows you to read much of the Tipitaka in Pali or translations by Bhikkhu Bodhi and other well-known translators. Pali text can be displayed alongside translations, with hover-over dictionary explanations for words. Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations are mostly not on SuttaCentral due to copyright restrictions, making this site a unique way to access his work.

Tipiṭaka.org: Pali Canon in Roman script

Read online: https://tipitaka.org/

Tipitaka.org gives access to the entire Tipiṭaka in Roman-script Pali online, with options to download text files in various scripts (Roman, Sinhala, Burmese, Thai, etc.). It also offers bi-linear editions of the suttas for side-by-side reading of Pali and translations.

Dhamma Charts: Visual overviews of key Buddhist teachings

Download: https://www.dhammacharts.org/

Dhamma Charts gathers clear visual diagrams to help understand key Buddhist ideas, themes, and relationships. Charts cover everything from mental factors and jhāna to dependent origination, maps of practice, and doctrinal sets. Each visual links to further explanations, making it excellent for visual learners.

Chris Tham: Pali Grammar Guide

Read online: https://christham.net/buddhavacana/pali-textbook/c-grammar/

This page provides a clear overview of Pali grammar, covering alphabet, phonemes, noun and verb forms, prefixes, sentence structure, and inflectional endings. Visual diagrams illustrate concepts, supporting systematic understanding alongside primary study materials.

Sutadhana: Study Aids & Resources

Link: https://www.sutadhana.com/study-aids-resources

Sutadhana provides a curated collection of study tools, guides, and reference materials for Pali learners. Resources include grammar guides, exercises, and tips for reading and understanding texts, helping students reinforce their learning.

Further reading: Commercial books 

For reliable printed copies, a few stand out. First is Bhikkhu Bodhi’s "Reading the Buddha’s Discourses in Pali", which guides you through sutta passages with practical grammar support. Steven Collins’ "Pali Grammar for Students" is a modern, accessible grammar guide respected for clarity. Thomas Oberlies’ "Pali – A Grammar of the Language of the Theravāda Tipiṭaka" is a comprehensive scholarly reference. James Gray’s "Elements of Pali Grammar" is a structured grammar text with a traditional feel. Together, these books offer a solid foundation for reading, comprehension, and in-depth grammar study.