Pali Dictionaries for UDP

UDP is a Windows only program,
(but it does work with WINE);For MAC, UNIX, Linux, Kindle, eBook, etc.
PDF, HTML, and MOBI versions are available

I have created several Pali-English dictionaries from material found on the internet: All of these electronic dictionaries are offered FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY by arrangement with their respective publishers. All of these dictionaries work with The Unicode Document Processor version 04.01.01 or later.

Download and Installation Instructions

  1. Your first step is to download The Unicode Document Processor (UDP) and install it by running the downloaded file. This step is required to use any of the dictionaries below. Version 13.02.01 or later works best with Pali.Pali-English Dictionaries

     

  2.  The first dictionary is T. W. Rhys Davids's classic Pali-English Dictionary (PED) with over 17,000 entries and much additional information for many words. This dictionary has all the diacritical marks. This is published by the Pali Text Society and can be found on-line at the University of Chicago's Pali-English Dictionary web site. Install the dictionary by running the program. The installer will place an icon  on your desktop for easy access. This step is optional if you do not want a very large dictionary will full diacriticals and extensive information. (Screenshot) 
  3. The second dictionary is the Mettanet-Lanka Pali-English Dictionary, a large 20,000 word Dictionary from the MettaNet-Lanka website. This dictionary has all the diacritical marks. Install it by unzipping the file and placing it where you think is appropriate. This step is optional if you do not want another large dictionary will full diacriticals. 
  4. The third is the classic Buddhist Dictionary by Nyanatiloka with over 1400 entries. This is published by the Buddhist Publication Society and can be found on-line at http://www.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/bud-dict/dic_idx.htm. Install it by unzipping the file and placing it where you put the other dictionary. This step is optional if you do not want the classic dictionary with its extensive information. 
  5. The fourth is a small 200 word Glossary from the Glossary of Pali and Buddhist terms at Access to Insight. Install it by unzipping the file and placing it where you put the other dictionaries. This step is optional if you do not want a small dictionary with no diacriticals. (Screenshot)English-Pali Dictionary

     

  6. The last dictionary is an English to Pali dictionary based on the Concise English-Pali Dictionary by Venerable A.P. Buddhadatta Mahathera. This also comes from the MettaNet-Lanka website and contains over 28,000 entries. Install it by unzipping the file and placing it where you put the other dictionaries. This step is optional if you do not want an English to Pali dictionary.Further Instructions

     

  7. UDP Version 13.02.01 or later works best with Pali. You should choose Options > Advanced > Ignore Case and also Keyboard > Ctrl+D Diacritical Keyboard > Pali Diacriticals Only in the menu to make working with Pali easier. 
  8. Install the dictionaries in UDP's dictionary list by doing the following:
    • Start UDP [Click Start / Programs / Tibetan / UDP ]
    • Click the Tools menu item
    • Click the External UDP Dictionaries... menu item
    • Click one of the 3 bottom Browse buttons
      and navigate your way to where you installed UDP (PaliEngDct.ude is located there)
    • Click the PaliEngDct.ude file and click Open
    • Click another of the 3 bottom Browse buttons
    • Click the palieng.dbp file and click Open
    • Click another of the 3 bottom Browse buttons
    • Click one other dictionary file and click Open
    • Click one of the radio button to determine which dictionary will be chosen.
    • Finally, Click OK

     

  9. If the Pali doesn't display properly, you'll need a font with diacriticals. Here are some suggestions:
    • If you have Microsoft Office installed, the Arial Unicode MS font that comes with that package is all you'll really need.
    • CSX+ and Tibetan Modern A Fonts - install AFTER installing UDP!
    • Gentium
    • Code2000
      More information on fonts can be found here (scroll down for general Unicode fonts)

    After installing your font(s), click Options > Fonts in UDP and select the font(s) in the Unicode fonts section.

 

To Look Up a Word in one of the Dictionaries

If you encounter a Pali word you wish to lookup in a file you have open in UDP (such as in the Sutta Database), double click that word, then click the Tools and Lookup Marked Text Externally menu items. A new copy of UDP will be run against either the PaliEngDct.ude or palieng.dbp or bpsdict.dbp dictionary, depending on which you have selected in the Tools/External UDP Dictionaries dialog box and the closest word will be found. Since not all possible words are in the dictionary, the word found may not be the word you highlighted - check carefully!

For additional information about using dictionaries with UDP, including chaining multiple dictionaries together, see the Help topic Tools - Lookup Marked Text Externally after pressing F1 in UDP.

All these dictionaries can function stand-alone (running in UDP, but not being called from UDP). Simply type the word you wish to lookup into the Key Field (the narrow field in the middle of the UDP window). The closest match will be found as you type each letter.

A word about this version of the Glossary

I want to thank John Bullit for his very wonderful Access to Insight website and for permission to convert his Glossary to this Database. This dictionary uses simplified Pali spelling with almost no diacritical characters - which works well on the web and among casual readers of Theravadin texts.

A word about this version of the Pali-English Dictionary

I want to thank Bhikkhu Mettavihari, the patron of MettaNet Foundation, for his very excellent MettaNet-Lanka website and for permission to convert the Pali English Dictionary to this Database. Since a scholar wants all the diacritical marks in the Pali words, this larger dictionary should serve very well.

A word about this version of the Nyanatiloka's Buddhist Dictionary

I want to thank the Buddhist Publication Society for its permission to publish this electronic edition of this wonderful, classic work. This electronic edition of the Buddhist Dictionary -- Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines -- by Nyanatiloka Mahathera is offered FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY by arrangement with the publisher, the Buddhist Publication Society. This text is a Gift of Dhamma. You may print this file for your personal use, and you may make and distribute unaltered copies of this file, provided that you charge no fees of any kind for its distribution. Otherwise, all rights reserved.