The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to the University of Oslo 2009

The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to University of Oslo was organised on November 2, 2009.

The Presentation of the International Romanised-script Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in 40 volumes also marks the 84th Birthday Anniversary Celebrations of Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana of Thailand, November 24th 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 Chulachomklao, who in 1893, had the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka printed in book form for the first time in the world.  One set of these historical printings were presented to and subsequently has been well-preserved here at the University of Oslo Library.

This presentation is to join a meritorious act of Her Royal Highness's late cousin, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who in 2005 presented a special inauguration 40-volume Tipiṭaka in Roman-script edition to leading institutions worldwide.

Once informed of that Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana approved her staff's recommendation to present the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman-Script edition to the University of Oslo Library to complement the Siam-script edition.

With this act, Princess Bejaratana humbly follows her grandfather's dedication to promote studies of Tipiṭaka, one of the most profound wisdom of the East, among scholars of the Western world. In a royal message read by Her Royal Highness's Private Secretary: "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."

The World Tipiṭaka Edition has been published since 2005 as a gift of Dhamma by Dhamma Society Thailand with the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana as its Honorary Patron. The Presentation of the World Tipiṭaka Project is also supported by NCNK Foundation under the Queen's Patronage.

Let me introduce myself : My name is Halvor Kongshavn, I am the Library Director of the Library of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Oslo Library. On behalf of the library, it is a great honor and pleasure to receive such a magnificent gift published by the Dhamma Society. The Tipitaka in a roman transcript version is of immense value for the study of Buddhism as it is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon.

I would like to say a few words about the University of Oslo Library. It is Norway’s largest research library. Hence, it is of great importance not only for the University of Oslo, but for all Norway. Our collections go back to when the University was established in 1811. Currently, they comprise several million volumes. Additionally, we own a constantly growing number of electronic documents. This year we are celebrating our tenth anniversary in this building - the most beautiful one on the University of Oslo Campus – and which we are very proud of. It was a pleasure for me to give you a tour of the library prior to this event.

The Library represents an important part of the University of Oslo’s academic and pedagogic activities. Primarily, our users are the university’s students, scholars and employees. However, we are a public library where everybody is welcome. We can provide documents and competence within a wide array of academic areas, for example the study of languages, traditions, cultures and religions – including Buddhism.

In the late 19th century, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as the regent of Siam, King Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao ordered a printed version of the Tipitaka. Until then, it had existed for about two thousand years on palm leaves only. In 1896 the King donated the book, comprising of 39 volumes, to this library as a royal gift. We have always been very proud owners of this work, especially since it was printed in a very limited edition. As the volumes are now quite old, and very rare, they have been stored in our security stacks with limited access only. However, we are pleased to be able to present them to the public here today.

And we are even more happy to be able to present the Tipitaka to our users in a new edition, not only in a printed, romanized-script version, but also electronically via the Dhamma Society’s web page. As the largest university library in Norway we will now be the owners of different presentations of a text of great importance to millions of people all over the world.

In 1949, the British library philosopher A. Broadfield stated that the library exists for the sake of freedom of thought. Books are far the strongest safeguards of freedom of individual thought. He concluded : “The librarian's task is clear. He should keep thought free and fluid -- his own thought and all other thought that comes within his province”.

I myself would like to add the following to Broadfield’s wise words: No library, no academia.

I would also like to repeat some of our prorector’s thoughts: We could all benefit from looking into new ways of reviving the once so fruitful interaction between the east and the west. By receiving the Tipitaka – and also by receiving you and your delegation here – the library has taken part in such an interaction. We promise you we will take good care of your generous gift, in the same way as we always have done with the first edition. It will be classified, catalogued and labeled according to the best library customs, and will then be presented to our users together with the rest of our literature related to the study of Buddhism.

On behalf of the Oslo University Library, our most sincere gratitude to the Dhamma Society and to Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana of Thailand.

I will now give the floor to the President of the Norwegian Buddhist Association and Patron of the World Tipitaka, Mr Egil Lothe.

Speech of thanks from University of Oslo's Pro-rector, Inga Bostad, to Thailand’s delegation
at the presentation of the 40-vol World Tipitaka Edition in Roman Script
Oslo University Library, November 2, 2009.

Dear Excellency. 

On behalf of the University of Oslo, I am very pleased and honored to receive the generous and important gift that the Tipitaka represents. The Romanized version that you have given us today complements the original edition, which due to its old age is safely preserved here in the library’s stacks.  

We have learned that the 40-volume set of the Tipitaka is a royal gift of wisdom and peace. You can be sure the books are received by an institution with strong traditions within the study of world religions and philosophies. Among others, the study of religion in a multicultural society is a focus area at the University of Oslo. For many years our scholars have participated in establishing interreligious dialogues both in academia and the society at large.  

We all know the important role that Buddhism plays in Asia, also politically. In the same way as the Evangelical-Lutheran religion is the official religion of Norway, Buddhism is Thailand’s state religion, with about 95% of the Thais as its followers. Historically, Thailand and the surrounding geographical areas have fostered a distinct Buddhist culture and art that still remain very active. The beautiful version that we have received from you of the Tipitaka - the earliest collection of Buddhist writings – is a result of these incredibly rich artistic expressions. I am certain that the books will prove invaluable to our students and scholars in their effort to interpret and analyze religious texts, rituals, traditions and statements.  

The University of Oslo is proud to be able to offer a wide array of academic disciplines to our students. We put a lot of emphasis on providing them with a broad general education that tie different fields of study together. In order to secure their academic development and maturity, we believe that it is important that for example students of natural sciences also receive input from the humanities or social sciences, and vice versa.  

Almost ever since the University of Oslo was founded, all the students have had to do a semester of preparatory courses that evolve around different aspects of philosophy and the history of ideas. This system was copied by the other public universities that were later founded in different parts of Norway. Even though the courses focus mostly on occidental philosophy, connecting lines are also drawn to oriental thinking and philosophy. A philosopher myself, I have always been fascinated by the junctions between the East and the West, and the non-Western traditions of philosophy.  In a poetical way we may say that since the earliest human recollection, the East, following the sun, searched the West for something, which at the same time the West, facing the sun, hoped to find in the East. 

Buddhism is considered one of the great world religions. The Buddhist path can be summed up as: 1) to lead a moral life; 2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions; and 3) to develop wisdom and understanding. To many, the essence of Buddhism therefore goes beyond the regular concept of religion. Buddhism is considered more of a philosophy or 'way of life', especially if we keep in mind that the word philosophy literally means 'love of wisdom'.  

When encountering other religions and beliefs we are challenged to explore our own faith and traditions. Of all religions, Buddhism seems to be one of the most respected and less criticized, both in Norway as in the rest of the Western world. It might be easier for people raised in a Christian culture to identify with Buddha, the enlightened founder of Buddhism, since his origin, in the same way as Jesus Christ’s, also was as a real, living person.  

The former Bishop of Oslo, Gunnar Stålsett, met Dalai Lama when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Price. They were both asked to describe what they thought was the most precious thing in the other’s religion.  Dalai Lama answered that he cherished the Christian God as a being that cares so much about each of us that he is even willing to die for us.  Bishop Stålsett, on his side, emphasized Buddhism’s appreciation and respect for any form of life. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for Buddhism’s increasing appeal to Western people, especially those looking for peaceful solutions to wars and conflicts. 

In an era marked by wars and economic recession perhaps we all would benefit from looking into new ways of reviving the once so fruitful interaction between the east and the west. There is a huge potential for reciprocal “alphabetization” between the cultures of the Orient and the Occident, as part of a renewal of a much needed intercultural dialogue. The new edition of the Tipitaka will provide students and scholars of the academic disciplines involved in these matters with an invaluable source of inspiration. In the true spirit of the gift’s intentions, let’s hope that will bring both them and us some peace and wisdom!  

On behalf of the University of Oslo, please extend our most sincere gratitude to the Dhamma Society and Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana of Thailand.