17 Jul, 2024
Thailand’s epic contribution to global Peace and Wisdom via Buddhist teachings
Bangkok — Buddhist scholars worldwide will hail Thailand’s epic contribution to the understanding and study of the faith with the global dissemination of a rare phonetic transcription of the Tipitaka, a vast and complex collection of the Lord Buddha’s teachings.
On 16 July, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Ambassadors and representatives of 36 countries and international organisations which will presented with an 80-volume set of the Tipitaka “Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition”, a linguistic and audio technology innovation that ensures the accurate pronunciation of over nine million syllables of the original Pali Tipitaka, as used over 2,500 years ago.
Thorough research and cutting edge technology enabled the reconstruction and preservation of the texts which will be presented as a “Gift of Peace and Wisdom” to the recipient countries and institutions. According to the MFA, “It is rare to find such transcription, and it will be most valuable to those who have an interest in studying the Tipitaka and Buddhism.”
The presentation is a part of the World Tipitaka Project, being supported by the MFA to mark the auspicious occasion of the 72nd (6th Cycle) Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn on 28 July 2024.
The Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition was first published in 2016 to commemorate the 70-year reign of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Queen Sirikit.
According to the MFA, Thailand was the first country to print the Tipiṭaka in book form and present it to other nations as Royal Gifts during the reign of King Rama V, around the year 1893. Later, during the reign of King Rama IX, Thailand also printed the Tipiṭaka in Roman scripts and distributed it internationally.
The Project opens an opportunity to advance the cause of promoting Global Peace and Wisdom by holding follow-up lectures, seminars and conferences on the theme of an Alliance of Civilisations, one of the most important and yet most neglected themes of the United Nations global sustainability agenda.
It should also help shift mindsets in the Thai Travel & Tourism sector which claims adherence to the 5Ps of sustainable development (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership) but in reality is primarily fixated with the missing 6th P (Profit).
As the only Travel & Tourism journalist to be covering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of the linkage between Thai diplomacy and Tourism policy, I attended the World Tipitaka Project presentation ceremony and photographed all the illustrative panels which contain more details about its history and objectives (see images below).
More information on where and how to access the texts is available by emailing the MFA media division here: information05@mfa.go.th
Thai Foreign Minister Mr Maris Sangiampongsa presided over the event.
Thai Foreign Minister Mr Maris Sangiampongsa presided over the event.
Thai Foreign Minister Mr Maris Sangiampongsa delivering his opening remarks.
Thanpuying (a Thai honorific for women leaders conferred with royal recognition for their contribution to society) Varaporn Pramoj Na Ayudhya, President of the World Tipiṭaka Foundation, delivering her remarks.
Ambassadors of various countries to be presented with the phonetic recitation of the Tipitaka texts.. This image includes the Ambassadors of China, Russia and Sri Lanka.
Ambassadors of the various countries to be presented with the phonetic recitation of the Tipitaka texts.
Some of the other Thai dignitaries at the event, including Ms Supatra Chirathivat of the Central group (second right). In the forefront is the full set of published volumes.
The following images show all the interpretive panels displayed at the event.
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