International Tipiṭaka Donation Message

by Thanpuying Putri Viravaidya

Private Secretary to Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana

At the presentation of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition

to the University of Oslo,Norway

Monday, November 2, 2009

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        On this auspicious occasion, I am delighted and profoundly honoured to present, on behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana of Thailand, a 40-volume Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition published by the Dhamma Society under the Patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, funded by Her Royal Highness, to the University of Oslo, Norway.

        The presentation of this International Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka also marks the Celebrations of Her Royal Highness' 84^th Birthday Anniversary, November 24, 2009.As a unique meritorious act for the occasion, Princess Bejaratana decides to follow the publication of the Tipiṭaka in Siam-script edition by her grandfather, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, who in 1893 had the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka printed in book form for the first time in the world. One set of these historical printings was presented to and subsequently has been well-preserved here at the library of the University of Oslo. This presentation is to join a meritorious act of Her Royal Highness's late cousin, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, who presented a special inauguration 40-volume Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition to leading institutions worldwide in 2005 as well. Once informed of that, Her Royal Highness approved her staff's recommendation to present the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition to the university to complement their Siam-script edition. With this act, Princess Bejaratana humbly follows her grandfather's dedication to promote studies of Buddhism, one of the most profound wisdom of the East, among scholars of the Western world. The Princess hopes that the merits of this International Tipiṭaka printing and presentation will lay for us the foundation for mutual understanding and sustainable harmony of humankind.

        If should be noted that His Majesty King Rama VI, Princess Bejaratana's august Father, encouraged the use of the Roman-Script in accordance with the Pāḷi-sound nearly a century ago. Resulting in this 40-volume publication.

        On behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, I present the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-script to the University of Oslo as a token of friendship between Thais and Nowegians. May the marits of the World Tipiṭaka printing and the persentation bring wisdom, prosperity and life-long happiness to the people of the world, now and always.