The World Tipiṭaka Edition 1999-2009 :
Technological Innovations & Contributions to Pāḷi and Tipiṭaka Studies
Since its inception in 1999 of the World Tipiṭaka Project in Roman Script, the Project has progressed smoothly from proof-reading to publication (1999-2005) and from Presentation of Tipiṭaka in book-form to distribution of Tipiṭaka in multimedia (2005-2008). From 2009 onward, the Dhamma Society Fund expects to continue the presentation of the 40-volume World Tipiṭaka Edition as well as the distribution of Tipiṭaka Studies Reference in multimedia to leading international institutions worldwide. Throughout these years, the Project has also brought about developments in various fields, which can be considered important technological innovations as well as contributions to the knowledgebase preserved in the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, and which, if fully developed, will yield a wide range of possibilities for international Tipiṭaka Studies.
These innovations and contributions can be described as follows:
1. Publication of the Complete Pāḷi Tipiṭaka of the Buddhist Era 2500 (1957) Great International Council Edition : An Academic Contribution
While previous publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka was based on the records of each country’s indigenous councils, the Roman-script edition is the world’s first publication of the complete Pāḷi Tipiṭaka of the Great International Tipiṭaka Council convened in B.E. 2500 (1957).
By publishing this great historical manuscript, the Dhamma Society Fund has made three major contributions to Tipiṭaka Studies:
Firstly, it is the publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka that is the resolution of the Great International Tipiṭaka Council, the one and only Pāḷi-language council attended by 2500 erudite Theravāda Buddhist monks, mainly from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, at the two-year international convocation between 1955-1957 (B.E. 2498-2500). This 40-volume World Tipiṭaka Edition is, therefore, the result of the great Theravāda tradition which has been handed down through the Great Tipiṭaka Councils for over 2500 years.
(Reference : Benediction 2002 and 2005 by His Holiness Somdet Phra Ñāṇasaṃvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Supreme Patron of the World Tipiṭaka)
Secondly, the Dhamma Society Fund found that the Chaṭṭhasaṇgīti Tipiṭaka Edition (the Pāḷi-language text originally written in Burmese script) was incomplete. In Book 39 and Book 40 of the 40-Volume edition, which was printed between 1957 and 1998, there were a large number of omissions.
(Reference :Introduction to the World Tipiṭaka Edition 2002 by the Most Venerable Dhammapiṭaka P.A. Payutto, Honorary Advisor of the World Tipiṭaka and the 1994 Recipient of the UNESCO Peace Prize, and for example of (Vol.39, also search for Vol.39 at www.flickr.com/photos/dhammasociety)
Finally, it is the publication of a newly revised edition of the entire Pāḷi text, together with all footnotes, based on strict research criteria.
(Reference : Tipiṭaka Lecture 2002 at the International Tipiṭaka Hall, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok (English Version) by Visudhi Busykul, fellow of the Royal Institute and (Thai Version) by Nun Vimuttiya, Chairperson of the the World Tipiṭaka Proof-reading, Dhamma Society Thailand)
2. The First Complete 40-Volume Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in the International Alphabet of Roman Script : A Technological Innovation and Internationalisation of Humanity Heritage
In the past, all the world’s Great Tipiṭaka Councils relied on the tradition of Pāḷi recitation, a recitation method which was used to check the pronunciation of Pāḷi words and maintain its printing accuracy. In the World Tipiṭaka Project in Roman Script, this recitation method was also employed as an essential part of the revision process by the Pāḷi and Tipiṭaka scholars, who proof-read aloud the entire Pāḷi text in Roman script trice 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 the Commentaries of other Pāḷi Tipiṭaka editions in various scripts from all over the world.
Advance computer-controlling procedures were used in several dimensions to ensure complete accuracy, such as, double-cross checking, from the revision stage through to the artwork layout and printing. Most importantly the Pāḷi text with special diacritical marks was printed by using an open-standard typeface which is user-friendly and easy to copy into any electronic format for references.
The World Tipiṭaka Edition is, therefore, a contribution in state-of- the-art technology employed to guarantee an efficient revision as well as to assure accuracy. As a result, this Roman-script edition is no longer limited as a religious heritage but it is a Heritage of Humanity and has been presented to various international institutions worldwide.
(Reference : Royal Message 2005 by Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, Honorary President of the World Tipiṭaka to Leading Institutions Worldwide; Remarks in 2007 by Her Excellency Judge Rosalyn Higgins, President of the International Court of Justice, the Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands)
3. Roman-script Tipiṭaka Software & Humanized Technology — Contribution to Electronic Tipiṭaka and the Dhamma Technology
Previously, printing of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka were mostly restricted to individual countries, and never in history have the Tipiṭaka Scriptures been recorded in the latest electronic language system that can effectively transliterate the Pāḷi sounds into Roman script and electronic printing formats with open international standards. However, this Pāḷi corpus from the World Tipiṭaka Edition was recorded in the format of eXtensible Markup Language or XML in Roman script — the universally-recognised script currently used in the latest electronic language in the modern world of web-technology, thus enabling global collaboration as well as cooperation in social software development.
In 2007, Tipiṭaka Voicing Prototype was unveiled on the Internet to broadcast online the recitation of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka at www.dhammasociety.org. This humanised technology is provided to enhance the correct pronunciation of the Pāḷi sounds.
In 2008, based on the XML format, the World Tipiṭaka Project also unveiled the online WebService of the World Tipiṭaka 2008 Edition on the Internet at www.tipitakaquotation.net and www.tipitakahall.net.
(Reference : Keynote Speech 2003 at the Pāḷi and Buddhist Studies International Conference in Sri Lanka by Maj. Suradhaj Bunnag, Chancellor of Dhamma Society and Tipiṭaka Technology Lecture 2008 at the University of Tokyo by Professor Toshiichi Endo, University of Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka)
4. Critical Studies of Various Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Recensions : Innovation in Comparative Evaluation Standard of Tipiṭaka Editions
Most often today, when it comes to reprinting the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, no evaluation is made in terms of Tipiṭaka authenticity values and its historical and textual recensions. However, with the new information from the latest proof-reading both of the Pāḷi text and the footnotes from the World Tipiṭaka Council manuscript, it is possible to analyze and assess the value of all important Pāḷi Tipiṭaka editions in the world, and explore the recensions between Tipiṭaka in various national scripts edited at different councils and also between each editions. This is tantamount to a reform in the study and publication of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, which will lead to a unity of the Theravāda Scripture.
Briefly speaking, the Roman-script Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Project is deemed a contribution to the evaluation of all editions of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in various national scripts and all translated versions of the world. This will also lay out a yardstick for the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in any script, that may be published in the future.
(Reference : for example : Introduction of Chulalongkorn of Siam Pāḷi Tipiṭaka : A Digital Preservation Edition 2008 by Siri Petchai, Chairman of Dhamma Society's World Tipiṭaka Project)
5. Tipiṭaka Studies Reference : Innovation in Datamining and Publication of a Definitive International Tipiṭaka Studies Reference
The Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, by definition, was essentially primary Pāḷi-language texts that are the historical record of the Buddha's words. However, the new Roman-script edition will play a more important role as it becomes an International Tipiṭaka Studies Reference. For example, the new publication includes compilation of page concordances (data regarding page-to-page comparison) of the fourteen Pāḷi Tipiṭaka editions in various national scripts all of which are deemed the most important editions 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, including organization of a highly systematic table of content, sorting and numbering of Dhamma topics, and creation of a more detailed indexing system. The World Tipiṭaka Edition therefore offers, another contribution as the new edition is the publication of a definitive international Pāḷi Tipiṭaka reference.
Additionally, a separate 40-volume set of the Tipiṭaka Studies Reference was published in 2007 to present more details of all the footnotes, cross-references and other references of Tipiṭaka metadata, such as, Cluster Pāḷi Sounds (1 vols.), Various Readings in Various National Scripts (7 vols.), Word Index (9 vols), and Example of Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Corpus (17 vols.).
(Reference : Guide to the Use of Tipṭaka Studies Reference 2007 )
6. Preservation of Pāḷi Pronunciation : Innovation in Publication of International Phonetic Alphabet for Pāḷi (IPA Pāḷi)
Formerly, the publishing of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in any script was targeted as a textual study for Pāḷi scholars. This makes it difficult for most people to acquire correct pronunciation of the Pāḷi words, particularly words with special cluster sounds, for instance the word “tumhe” (pronounced [tum-mhe]). The King Chulachomklao the Great of Siam Edition, 2436 (1893), the world’s first printed set of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in a 39-Volume edition, which was transliterated from Khmer into Siam script, clearly indicates, with an ingenious special pronunciation mark, the pronunciation of cluster sound as [tum-mhe], and not [tum-he].
In 2007 the World Tipiṭaka Edition applied said pronunciation mark to develop the transliteration of Pāḷi words with Roman script as well as the transcription of the Pāḷi words into International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This is to promote oral recitation with examples of the written forms that clearly demonstrates the correct and unified pronunciation. The International Phonetic Alphabet for Pāḷi (Pāḷi IPA) has been printed for the first time in the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Publication.
In addition, printing techniques were used to facilitate reading, such as font designand the rejection of word wrapping, as well as the format printing of verses with indication of the types of metrics to encourage Pāḷi reciation among the lay community worldwide in addition to the preservation of traditional chanting in the community of Buddhist monks. Therefore, this World Tipiṭaka Edition is undoubtedly a contribution in terms of phonetics as it provides correct pronunciation of special Pāḷi sounds.
(Reference : Introduction to Chulachomklao of Siam Pāḷi Tipṭaka : A Digital Preservation Edition 2008, entitled “Pāḷi and the International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA : A Guide to the Pronunciation System of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman Script” by Emeritus Professor Vichin Panupong). )
7. Reduction of Transaction Costs : Innovation in Institutional Efficiency for Tipiṭaka Production
In the past, most Pāḷi Tipiṭaka productions were in book-form. The World Tipiṭaka Project, however, focused on building an open-standard electronic database and on transferring the data into different media, such as books printed in Roman scripts and electronic multimedia. This brainchild programme is deemed an initial project that will eventually lead to the creation of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka of the world --the World Tipiṭaka Edition.
Since the beginning of the publication phase, the World Tipiṭaka Project in Roman Script used digital-printing technology to publish the inaugural edition in 40 volumes and has mainly used the digital-printing technology ever since. From 2009 onward, a new distributive digital-printing technology will be used in addition to facilitate the publication of the 40-volume edition in each country where the World Tipiṭaka Edition will be presented as a royal gift from Thailand.
For example, the Pāḷi text in Roman script will be printed by digital-printing technology using WebService instructions sent by the Internet from Bangkok. This on-demand printing will also make it possible for the designated country to customise the content and format for localised publication --the possibility of the first “personalised Tipiṭaka edition” for the world. Therefore, the project is a contribution in efficiency enhancement for production institutions to transfer the content of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka with precision, effectiveness, and minimal transaction costs.
(Reference : Tipiṭaka Exhibition 2007 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok and Commemorative Programme for Tipiṭaka Technology Lecture at the University of Tokyo in Japan 2008).
8. A Gift of Wisdom & Peace : Innovation in Artistic Creativity of Tipiṭaka Publication for the World
Previously, the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka published in the Western world was presented in academic book-form. This Roman-script Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, will be a creation in the printing of the sacred texts recording the wisdom of Humanity which will be presented as a royal gift of Wisdom & Peace from Thailand to the world over. Therefore it has been 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, from the presentation, design, selection of materials, and printing, to the transportation of the World Tipiṭaka across the globe as a special gift from Thailand, this Commemorative Roman-script Pāḷi Tipiṭaka is a contribution in artistic creativity, reflecting the serene and profound wisdom of Humanity's Heritage, as well as the significance of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka as the manifestation of the Buddha in the modern world.
(Reference : World Tipiṭaka Edition Fact Sheet 2008 and Acceptance Speeches : by Professor Ulf Göranson, Chief Librarian of Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala University, Sweden 2005 ; His Excellency Mahindra Rajpaksa, President of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka 2006 ; Venerable Siwalee Thero, Bhikkhu-in-Charge of Maha Bodhi Society of India, Buddha Gaya, Rupublic of India 2007 ; and Professor Egaku Mayeda, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan 2008.)
