Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c4.4

v1.c4.4

The original suggestion was that I should limit my “sources to the Tipiṭaka, the fifth century Commentaries on the Pāli Canon, a few post-Piṭakan works, published by the P.T.S., separately or in Journals, and the Milindapañha.” I was “not to compile a Lexicon, but to follow in general the method adopted by Müller in *J.P.T.S.*, 1888, giving, only in the case of the more important names, short translations from a few specified references, the material to go into one not very bulky volume.” Mrs. Rhys Davids was confident that the work could be finished in a year. I took advantage of a visit I paid to Europe in 1932 to discuss these matters with Mrs. Rhys Davids, Dr. Stede, Professor Turner, Dr. Barnett, Dr. Sylvan Lévi and other eminent Orientalists, and with the authorities of the India Office. As a result of these discussions the original scheme was considerably modified, and I was enabled to give myself greater freedom in the selection of sources and in following my own preferences in the treatment of the materials.