The World Tipiṭaka at the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand
As part of the inauguration of the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA), the Royal Gift of the World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman Script from Thailand was ceremoniously enshrined at the SIBA Library by H.E. President Mahindra Rajapakse of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Kandy
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) was established in February 2009 as a new project of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, better known as Sri Dalada Maligawa in Sinhala, the local language, is the most venerated Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. It is here that the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. The Temple is famous for its carvings and beautiful paintings that are unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the octagon (called Pattirippuwa), built by the last King of Sri Lanka is today the Tipiṭaka Hall of the old palace complex. Thousands of people line up every day to venerate this Temple and have a glimpse of its majesty. The new Academy www.siba.lk acquires its singular significance and uniqueness particularly among Sri Lankans and Buddhists in general due to its association with the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The Academy is located within the precincts of the Buddhist Training and Research Centre of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic situated eight kilometers away from the city of Kandy in a peaceful natural environment surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges of the Kandy region which is blessed with a salubrious climate. It can be reached from Colombo, the capital city, by road or rail within about three and a half to four hours. The travel time between the International Airport, Katunayake and the city of Kandy by road is about two to two and a half hours.
The World Tipiṭaka Edition in 40 volumes was published by the Dhamma Society Fund in Bangkok in 2002. In 2005, upon the invitation by Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranayaike Kumaratunga, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Royal Matriarch of Thailand, made a special 24-hour pilgrimage from Bangkok to Colombo to present the first inaugural set as a gift of Dhamma to the President of Sri Lanka, the cradle of the world's written Tipiṭaka. The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to the SIBA this year was announced earlier in 2008 at the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand in Bangkok, the first institutional recipient of the World Tipiṭaka. The World Tipiṭaka Enshrinement at the SIBA by President Mahindra Rajapaksa was the final meritorious process of the World Tipiṭaka Presentation Worldwide initiated by Thailand and Sri Lanka. This special World Tipiṭaka Edition is the third set presented as a royal gift from the late Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand to the People of Sri Lanka. The second set was presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 2006.
Kingdom of Thailand
World Tipitaka Presentation at the Constitutional Court of Thailand
His Excellency Justice Chat Chonlawon, the President of the Constitutional Court, and Diyawadana Nilame, the Chief Lay Custodian of the Tooth Relic, during the Announcement of the World Tipiṭaka Presentation as a gift of Dhamma from the late Princess Galyani Vadhana at the office of the Constitutinal Court in Bangkok, November 14, 2008.
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
During the enshrinement Ceremony of the World Tipiṭaka at the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy in Kandy: Professor G.A. Somaratne is seen presenting the first volume from the 40-volume World Tipitka in Roman-script Edition to H.E. President Mahindra Rajapakse who will later hand-over the entire set to the Chief Lay Custodian (centre) for permanent enshrinement at the SIBA.
