Royal Message
H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana
Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra of Thailand
Royal Tipiṭaka Patron
and
Honorary President of Tipiṭaka Presentation Worldwide
On the Inauguration of
The Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Council Pāḷi Tipiṭaka
40 Volumes in Roman script
To Maha Bodhi Society of India
H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana
Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra of Thailand
Royal Tipiṭaka Patron
and
Honorary President of Tipiṭaka Presentation Worldwide
On the Inauguration of
The Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Council Pāḷi Tipiṭaka
40 Volumes in Roman script
To Maha Bodhi Society of India
I am delighted and profoundly honoured to present a special inauguration 40-volume Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition to leading institutions worldwide. This occasion is especially meaningful because this publication is the world’s first International Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka -- from the only Great International Council, convened by 2,500 Theravāda Buddhist monks in the Buddhist Era 2500 or 1956 A.D. It is, therefore, a Heritage of Humanity Enlightenment which has been preserved for over 2500 years.
The three inaugural Pāḷi Tipiṭaka edtions were published in 2005 by the Dhamma Society under the Patronage of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. The first inaugural edition was presented to the people of Sri Lanka on March 6, 2005. I went on a Pilgrimage to Colombo upon the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka for the presentation of the special edition which is now preserved at the Presidential Mansion in Colombo. The special edition for the Kingdom of Thailand was presented to the people of Thailand on August 15, 2005 and is now preserved at the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand in Bangkok. The special edition for the western world was presented on September 13, 2005 to the Kingdom of Sweden and is now preserved at the Uppsala University Library.
The presentation of the International Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is a meritorious act following the publication of the Tipiṭaka in Siam-script edition by my Grandfather, King Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao of Siam, who in 1893 had the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka printed in book form for the first time in the world. Over two hundred and sixty of these sets were presented to leading institutions worldwide. In Sri Lanka and Sweden, one set of these historic printings “Chulachomklao the Great of Siam Pāḷi Tipiṭaka” has been well-preserved both in the temple of the Holy Tooth Relics in Kandy and at the Carolina Rediviva in Uppsala.
After this inauguration, one thousand sets will be presented as a donation to leading institutions worldwide. Furthermore, the International Tipiṭaka Studies will be initiated as an integral part of the presentation. The International Tipiṭaka Studies in these leading institutions will integrate the wisdom-base in the Tipiṭaka with the knowledge-base of the world today. It is hoped that the integration and right understanding of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka will ensure sustainable peace, as well as lasting security for the international community today.
May the merits of the International Tipiṭaka printing and the presentation bring wisdom, life-long happiness and prosperity to the people of the world, now and always.
May the merits of the International Tipiṭaka printing and the presentation bring wisdom, life-long happiness and prosperity to the people of the world, now and always.
Bangkok
Royal Message was read in the Thai language by Dhamma Society Chairman. The English Version was read His Excellency the Thai Ambassador to India
Buddhaga Centre
P.O. Buddhagaya 8242321
Dist Gaya Bihar, India
Maha Bodhi Society Society of India
Founded by Venerable Anagairka Dhammapala in 1981
In Appreciation
On behalf of the Maha Bodhi society of India, I wish to sincerely thank Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra of Thailand for this generous gift of the “World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman Script” – published by the M.L. Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society Fund under the Patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. We are immensely privileged and greatly honoured to received these impressive 40 volumes today in this sacred sanctum of the Maha Bodhi Maha Vihara, Buddhagaya from Maha Mongkot Cahi Maha Upasika.
This World Tipiṭaka Edition is indeed a Gift of Peace and Wisdom from the people of Thailand. The Maha Bodhi Society of India started by the late Venerable Anagarika Dhammapala of Sri Lanka in the year 1891, is committed to rendering invaluable service in propagating the Dhamma, the teachings of Lord Buddha, which lay emphasis on compassion, service and the noble path of Dhamma Vijaya, and we are very please to received this gift given to us in the same spirit.
The Maha Bodhi Society has been the most effective body in disseminating in foreign lands the teachings of Lord Buddha through its Founder – the late Venerable Anagarika Dhammapala. After reading his paper “the World's Debt to Buddha” On September 18, 1893 at the World's Parliament of Religious held at Chicago, USA, he returned to India, visiting Japan, China, Siam (Thailand) seeking assistance for his great work, revival of Buddhism in the land of its birth.
This gift of Dhamma is just one of the many acts of benevolence we have received. Last year we inaugurated the annual Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Chanting ceremony commemorating the 2500 Buddha Jayati. And it was for the first time that the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Had been chanted under the sacred Bodhi Tree after some 700 years. It was indeed an historic occasion and the assistance we received is invaluable. We very much welcome the proposal support by the Dhamma Society Fund for this annual Tipiṭaka Chanting.
Once again, I wish to convey most sincerely our heartfelt gratitude for this wonderful DHAMMA DANA to the Maha Bodhi society of India, the first institution to have received this royal gift of Tipiṭaka. As Buddha says in the Sabba Dānaṃ Dhamma Dāmaṃ Jināti The Gift of Dhamma Excels all other gifts. Bhavatu Sabbamaṅgalaṃ !
Ven. Dr. D. Rewatha Thero
General Secretary
Maha Bodhi society of India
2007/2551B.E.
This World Tipiṭaka Edition is indeed a Gift of Peace and Wisdom from the people of Thailand. The Maha Bodhi Society of India started by the late Venerable Anagarika Dhammapala of Sri Lanka in the year 1891, is committed to rendering invaluable service in propagating the Dhamma, the teachings of Lord Buddha, which lay emphasis on compassion, service and the noble path of Dhamma Vijaya, and we are very please to received this gift given to us in the same spirit.
The Maha Bodhi Society has been the most effective body in disseminating in foreign lands the teachings of Lord Buddha through its Founder – the late Venerable Anagarika Dhammapala. After reading his paper “the World's Debt to Buddha” On September 18, 1893 at the World's Parliament of Religious held at Chicago, USA, he returned to India, visiting Japan, China, Siam (Thailand) seeking assistance for his great work, revival of Buddhism in the land of its birth.
This gift of Dhamma is just one of the many acts of benevolence we have received. Last year we inaugurated the annual Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Chanting ceremony commemorating the 2500 Buddha Jayati. And it was for the first time that the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Had been chanted under the sacred Bodhi Tree after some 700 years. It was indeed an historic occasion and the assistance we received is invaluable. We very much welcome the proposal support by the Dhamma Society Fund for this annual Tipiṭaka Chanting.
Once again, I wish to convey most sincerely our heartfelt gratitude for this wonderful DHAMMA DANA to the Maha Bodhi society of India, the first institution to have received this royal gift of Tipiṭaka. As Buddha says in the Sabba Dānaṃ Dhamma Dāmaṃ Jināti The Gift of Dhamma Excels all other gifts. Bhavatu Sabbamaṅgalaṃ !
Ven. Dr. D. Rewatha Thero
General Secretary
Maha Bodhi society of India
2007/2551B.E.
