Synopsis
In a significant display of cultural diplomacy, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Indian PM Narendra Modi with the World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition. This edition underscores the deep civilizational ties between India and Thailand and highlights India's spiritual leadership in the Buddhist community.Key Takeaways
- Modi received the World Tipitaka from Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
- The Tipitaka is a principal scripture of Buddhism.
- This edition emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange.
- The project highlights India's spiritual leadership.
- It commemorates significant anniversaries of Thai royalty.
Bangkok, April 3 (NationPress) In a remarkable gesture that emphasizes the deep civilizational connections fostered by cultural, linguistic, and religious links between India and Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the sacred texts The World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition from Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after their bilateral talks in Bangkok on Thursday.
The Tipitaka (in Pali) or Tripitaka (in Sanskrit) represents a revered collection of the teachings of Lord Buddha, comprising 108 volumes and considered the primary Buddhist scripture.
The edition gifted to PM Modi is a carefully crafted version produced in Pali and Thai scripts, ensuring the precise pronunciation of over nine million syllables, marking a significant event of cultural and spiritual diplomacy.
This special edition was released in 2016 as part of the World Tipitaka Project initiated by the Thai government to honor the 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit.
"PM Shinawatra just presented me with the Tipitaka, and I accepted it with folded hands on behalf of Bharat, the Land of Lord Buddha. Last year, India sent the sacred relics of Lord Buddha along with two of his principal disciples to Thailand. It is heartening to know that approximately four million people paid their respects to the relics," stated PM Modi.
Analysts view the gifting of the Tipitaka to PM Modi as a testament to India's spiritual leadership and its enduring relationship with Buddhist nations.
According to Thai officials, with the Kings as guardians of Buddhism, Thailand has historically played a vital role in spreading the Tipiṭaka across various countries. In 1893, the Chulachomklao of Syam-Paḷi Tipiṭaka Bangkok Era 112 Edition featuring Paḷi-Syam script was published as the first printed edition of the Tipiṭaka in book form. King Chulalongkorn presented the Paḷi-Syam Script Tipiṭaka as royal gifts to over 250 institutions across 25 nations. Subsequently, in 2005, the World Tipitaka in Roman script edition, the first complete set in Roman-script transliteration, was published and distributed as Gifts of Dhamma to over 150 major international institutions globally.
The 2016 editions commemorating King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit were published as the world's first Tipiṭaka specifically designed for Sajjha-ya recitation, ensuring accurate pronunciation of the Tipiṭaka while preserving the original Paḷi pronunciation from the era of Lord Buddha. In 2016, to mark the 70th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, then the Crown Prince, graciously accepted the role of Chairperson of the Publication, and the foundation was established to distribute the complete set of 80 volumes of the World Tipitaka.
The initiative to share the World Tipiṭaka Sajjhaya Phonetic Recitation 2016 editions with the international community is a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the World Tipiṭaka Foundation to celebrate the 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on July 28, 2024.
