Tipiṭaka Lecture 2003

by Dhamma Society Fund
Under Patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

1. Lecture Title
The World Tipiṭaka Project and Contribution to Tipiṭaka Studies
(International Conference for Pāḷi and Buddist Studies organised by
the Sri Lankan Association for Pāḷi and Buddhist Studies, SLAB)

2. Date / Venue
10 November 2003
Le Kandyan Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

3. Lecture (in English)
(Introducer) Dr. G.A. Soamaratne, Secretary of SLAB
(Lecturer) Maj. Suradhaj Bunnag, President of the World Tipiṭaka Project
(Commentator) Prof. Immeritus Lily de Silva, University of Peradeniya

4. Presiding over by
Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University, Kandy, Sri Lanka

5. Audience
150 guests, including Bhikkhus and members of the academic community

6. Special features
Lecture with multimedia presentation including a video clip of World Tipiṭaka Preview for the President of Sri Lanka. Special exhibition of the prototype of the 40-volume World Tipiṭaka Publication in Roman Script

7. Commemorative Publication
From the Siam-script Tipiṭaka of Chulachomklao Edition 1893 to the Roman-script Tipiṭaka of the World Edition 2005 published by Dhamma Society.

8. Outcomes
Collaboration among members of academic community in Sri Lanka to work on the World Tipiṭaka Project

ปาฐกถาพระไตรปิฎก พ.ศ. 2546
จัดโดย กองทุนสนทนาธัมม์นำสุขฯ ในพระสังฆราชูปถัมภ์ฯ

1. ชื่อปาฐกถา (Lecture Title)
The World Tipiṭaka Project & Contributions to Tipiṭaka Studies (ภาษาอังกฤษ)
(เนื่องในโอกาสจัดการประชุมทางวิชาการระดับนานาชาติเป็นครั้งแรกโดยสมาคมปาฬิและพุทธศาสตรศึกษาแห่งศรีลังกา)

2. วัน / สถานที่ (Date / Venue)
4 พฤศจิกายน 2546 ณ โรงแรม เลอแตนเดียน กรุงแคนดี ประเทศศรีลังกา

3. ปาฐกถา
(กล่าวนำ) ดร. จี. เอ. โสมรัตเน เลขาธิการสมาคม
(องค์ปาฐก) พันตรี สุรธัช บุนนาค ประธานโครงการพระไตรปิฎกสากล
(กล่าวจบ) ศ. กิตติคุณ ลิลี เดอ ซิลว่า มหาวิทยาลัยเปราเดนิยะ

4. ประธานในงาน (Presiding over by)
อธิการบดีมหาวิทยาลัยเปราเดนิยะ แคนดี ประเทศศรีลังกา

5. ผู้ร่วมฟัง (Audience)
คณะสงฆ์และนักวิชาการด้านปาฬิและพุทธศาสตร์ศึกษาระดับนานาชาติ ประมาณ 150 คน

6. ลักษณะพิเศษ (Special features)
ปาฐกถาประกอบสื่อผสมเทคโนโลยีและจัดแสดงพระไตรปิฎกชุดปฐมฤกษ์ในประเทศศรีลังกา รวมทั้งวิดีทัศน์จดหมายเหตุการนำเสนอโครงการพระไตรปิฎกสากลแด่ประธานาธิบดีแห่งศรีลังกา

7. สิ่งตีพิมพ์ (Commemorative Publication)
ต้นแบบพระไตรปิฎกชุดใหญ่พิเศษ 40 เล่ม

8. ผลจากปาฐกถา (Outcomes)
1. เกิดการยอมรับในหมู่นักวิชาการชั้นนำของศรีลังกา และนักวิชาการที่เข้าร่วมประชุม
2.เกิดความร่วมมือกับนักวิชาการปาฬิและพุทธศาสตรศึกษาในประเทศศรีลังกาในการดำเนินโครงการพระไตรปิฎกสากลในด้านวิชาการระดับนานาชาติ เช่น แนวการศึกษาพระไตรปิฎกในระดับนานาชาติ

Tipiṭaka Lecture 2003

The World Tipiṭaka Project & Contributions to Tipiṭaka Studies 

Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka Buddhavasse 2500
The Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Council Pāḷi Tipiṭaka
Roman Script B.E. 2548 (2005)

International Conference for Pāḷi & Buddhist Studies
Le Kandian Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
10 November B.E. 2546 (2003)

Image printed from the Dhamma Society Electronic Archives
500-hour/6500-gigabyte documentary of the World Tipiṭaka Project
Recorded between 1999-2007

for more image information of the World Tipiṭaka Project

The World Tipiṭaka Project

Now that the Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Project has progressed smoothly past its fourth year, the Dhamma Society Fund expects to hand the finished manuscripts to the printing house by the end of 2004. The Tipiṭaka Project also brought about developments in various fields, which can be considered important contributions to knowledge-based of the Pāḷi and Tipiṭaka Studes, and which, if fully developed, will yield a wide range of possibilities for international Buddhist Studies. These contributions can be described as follow:

The Pāḷi Tipiṭaka of the B.E. 2500 (1956) Great International Council :

A Contribution to the Studies of the International Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Edition

(e-Archive Video presentation)

While previous publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka was based on the records of each country's indigenous council, the Romanised edition is the world's first-ever publication of the complete Pāḷi Tipiṭaka of the Great Buddhist International Council convened in B.E. 2500/1956.

By publishing this great historical edition, the Dhamma Society Fund has made three major contributions to Tipiṭaka Studies.

Firstly, it is the publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka which is the resolution of the Great International Council, the one and only Pāḷi-language Buddhist council attended by 2500 erudite Theravāda monks, mainly from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, at the international conference in 1956 (B.E. 2500). This forthcoming Tipiṭaka is therefore the result of the great Theravāda tradition which has been handed down for over the last 2500 years and will become the world's first complete Romanised edition from the world's first and only Great International Buddhist Council.

Secondly, the Dhamma Society Fund found that the Chaṭṭhasaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (the Pāḷi-language text original written in Burmese script) was incomplete. In Book 39 and Book 40 of the 40-Volume Myanmar edition, which was printed between 1956 and 1998, there were a large number of omissions.

Finally, it is the publication of a newly revised edition of the entire Pāḷi text, together with all footnotes, based strictly both on Theravāda tradition and research criteria.

Revision, Editing & Printing Procedures :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

In the past, all the world's great Buddhist councils relied on the tradition of Pāḷi recitation or the Pāḷi recitation method used to check for and maintain accuracy. In the Romanised Tipiṭaka Project, this recitation method was also employed as an essential part of the revision process by a team of the Pāḷi-language scholars, who read aloud the entire Romanised Pāḷi text in a comparison with the Pāḷi edition in Burmese script. Apart from that, comparison was also made with what are believed to be the world's major Pāḷi Tipiṭakas, as well as with Commentaries of other Pāḷi Tipiṭaka editions in various scripts from all over the world.

In addition, computer-controlling procedures were used in several dimensions. For instance, sophisticate indexing and double-cross checking, from the revision stage through to the artwork layout and printing, was used to ensure complete accuracy. Therefore, the Commemorative Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is a contribution in state-of-the-art technology employed to guarantee an efficient revision as well as to assure accuracy.

Critical Studies of Various Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Recensions :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

Most often today, when it comes to reprinting the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, no evaluation or analysis is made in terms of Tipiṭaka authenticity values and its historical recensions. However, with the new edition from the Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Project, it is possible to analyze and assess the value of all important Tipiṭaka editions in the world, and explore the recensions between Tipiṭaka versions edited at different councils and also between each edition. This is tantamount to a reform in the study and publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, which will lead to a unity of the Buddhist canon.

Briefly speaking, the Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Project is deemed a contribution to the evaluation of all the Pāḷi Tipiṭakas in international scripts and all translated versions of the world. This will also lay out a yardstick for the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in any script, which may be published in the future.

Tipiṭaka as Definitive International Reference :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

The Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, by definition, was essentially primary Pāḷi texts which are the historical record of the teachings of the Gotama Buddha. Under this project, however, the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka will play a more important role as it becomes an international Tipiṭaka reference. For example, the new publication includes compilation of page concordances (data regarding page-to-page comparison) of the fourteen Pāḷi Tipiṭaka originals, all of which are deemed the most important versions in the world.

In addition, new printing and presentation techniques were put to use in line with linguistics and new information technology for the first time ever, including organization of a highly systematic table of content, sorting and numbering of Dhamma topics, and creation of a more detailed indexing system. The project offers therefore another contribution as the new edition is the publication of a definitive international Pāḷi Tipiṭaka reference.

Systematic Pāḷi Pronunciation & Publication :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

Formerly, the publishing of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in any script was targeted only for Pāḷi scholars. This makes it difficult for most people to acquire correct pronunciation of the Pāḷi words, especially in those words with special sounds, for instance the word "tumhe" (pronounced tum-mhe). King Chulachomklao the Great of Siam Edition, 2436 (1893), the world's first printed Pāḷi Tipiṭaka 39-Volume edition, which, at the royal behest, was transcribed from Khmer into Thai script, clearly demonstrates with an ingenious special pronunciation mark, clearly indicate the pronunciation of the word as "tum-mhe", and not "tum-he".

The Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka applied the said pronunciation mark to develop the writing of Pāḷi words with Roman script. This is to promote Pāḷi recitation with examples of the written forms which clearly demonstrates the correct and unified pronunciation, though transcribed into international script. In addition, printing techniques were used to facilitate reading, such as font design, rejection of word wrapping, as well as the printing of verses with indication of the types of metrics to encourage Pāḷi chanting. Therefore, this Pāḷi Tipiṭaka project is undoubtedly a contribution in terms of phonetics as it provides correct pronunciation of special Pāḷi sounds regardless of the script.

Romanised Tipiṭaka Software and Humanized Technology :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

Previously, recording and printing of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka were mostly restricted to individual countries, and never in history have the Scriptures been recorded in the latest electronic language system that can effectively transcribe the Pāḷi words into other scripts and printing formats with international standards. However, this Pāḷi Tipiṭaka corpus was recorded in the eXtensible Markup Language or XML format in electronic Roman script - the script currently used in the latest electronic language in the modern world of computer technology, thus enabling global cooperation in software development.

The universality of the programme and the electronic Tipiṭaka will be further developed and propagated in years to come for the peace and happiness of mankind, such as in the form of a CD-ROM with images and audio of Pāḷi chanting, helping to convey a perfect unity of intellect and morality. In the future, the electronic Romanised Tipiṭaka will be propagated via the world of the Internet to facilitate Buddhist studies, thus eliminating place and time constraints. The Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is undeniably a contribution to study and research into the development of the electronic Tipiṭaka in years to come.

Reduction of Transaction Costs  :

(e-Archive Video presentation)

In the past, most Pāḷi Tipiṭaka productions were in the form of a book-printing. The Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Project, however, focused on building a universal electronic database and on transfer of data into different media, such as books printed in international scripts and electronic media. This brainchild programme is deemed an initial project that will eventually lead to the creation of the world's Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, as it could quickly and efficiently transcribe the Pāḷi texts into various national scripts with unerring accuracy, thanks to the universal electronic system.

As for the printing of the commemorative edition in book form, the Tipiṭaka Project has designed an electronic transliterating programme so that the transliteration from Roman script into various national scripts will be printed in an identical Pāḷi corpus. For example, the Pāḷi text in Roman script will be printed line by line into any various national scripts of the world. This significantly enhances the value of the Pāḷi corpus as it would reduce operation costs, time, resources and personnel. Therefore, the project is a contribution in efficiency enhancement for production institutions to transfer the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka with precision and effectiveness.

(Note :  Although technically, e-transliternation is possible but the project puts emphasis on Romanised edition.)

Supreme Gift of Dhamma :

A Contribution to Artistic Creativity of Tipiṭaka Publication

(e-Archive Video presentation)

Previously, the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka published in the Western world was presented in book form. This Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka will be a creation in the printing of Buddhist sacred texts recording the wisdom of the Supreme Buddha, to be given as a Gift of Dhamma to the world over. Therefore it was produced with artistic design and developed with state-of-the-art technology.

With careful selection of forms and means by leading Thai scholars and artists, coupled with the determination to strictly follow the Buddha's teaching of the Middle Path in every step, from the presentation, design, selection of materials, and printing, to transportation of all one thousand sets to institutions across the globe as an ultimate Gift of Dhamma, this Commemorative Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is, therefore, a contribution in artistic creativity, reflecting the serene and profound wisdom of Buddhasāsana as well as the significance of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka as the manifestation of the Supreme Buddha in the modern world.

Conclusion

(e-Archive Video presentation)

1. Based on the thorough and careful studies of the Pāḷi text from the resolution of the Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Buddhist Council, the Romanised Tipiṭaka Project has proofread and edited the previous printing errors. In addition, the Project also developed the electronic Tipiṭaka format so that the new publication will be as complete as possible. One of the most important innovations is the printing of page concordance, which is a reference to all the major Tipiṭaka editions of the world, fourteen editions all together.

This publication of the Pāḷi text is therefore not just a reprint of the Chaṭṭhasaṅgīti edition in Roman Scripts but a new edition of the International Tipiṭaka. Consequently, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand has specially designated the new Tipiṭaka edition as the Mahāsaṅgīti or the Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Buddhist Council Pāḷi Tipiṭaka so that this new Romanised edition can be clearly distinguished from the Chaṭṭhasaṅgīti Tipiṭaka edition.

2. This publication is the continuation of the sacred tradition of the First Great Theravāda Council, which has continued for over the last 2500 years. Thus the all-important principle of the collective work of the Great Theravāda Council is the continuation of both the correct Pāḷi sound and the correct printed script based on the words of the Buddha. The Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka Edition is therefore in contrast to other Romanised pali texts which are based on the concept of critical editions of individual work.

3. The publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is most essential for the study of Buddhasāsana because it has been often found that people in the academic community base their Buddhist studies not on the words of the Buddha in the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka but on the work of lesser writers in later periods. Moreover, because of the lack of an international standard edition, there are continual attempts to interpret the Pāḷi text according to one's own individual understanding and judgment. The new international Romanised Pāḷi Tipiṭaka edition will therefore provide a universal edition for Pāḷi and Buddhist Studies scholars to rely on.

The Dhamma Society Fund under the Patronage of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand sincerely hopes that this Romanised Tipiṭaka edition, the resolution of the Great Theravāda Council, will be a timely Gift of Dhamma for the world. And with this International Pāḷi Tipiṭaka there will emerge new and vibrant Buddhist Studies as an integral part of all the arts and science disciples today, so that wisdom from the supreme enlightenment of the Buddha will compassionately reestablish morality in humanity at a time when world peace and international security are perhaps at their most fragile.

Thank you

(World Tipiṭaka Documentary Documentary by Dhamma Society)