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Speech of
The Dhamma Society Fund & World Tipiṭaka Project
by
Major Suradhaj Bunnag
Chancellor of Dhamma Society & President of The World Tipiṭaka Project
At the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Annual Tipiṭaka Chanting 2008
Organised by Mahā Bodhi Society of India
Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambhuddhassa
Venerable Dr. D. Rewattha Thero, Secretary-General of Mahā Bodhi Society of India,
Venerables, Tipiṭaka Patrons, and Friends in Dhamma :
On behalf of Dhamma Society Fund and the World Tipiṭaka Project, I am most honoured to be here, the very site where, under the Bodhi Tree, the Supreme Buddha attained self-enlightenment. And as the publisher of the World Tipiṭaka as a gift of Dhamma, we are overjoyed to have been invited to witness this historic Annual Tipiṭaka Chanting which is organised by the Mahā Bodhi Society of India. The new Chanting Edition in Roman Script was printed in memory of the late Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand, the most beloved and esteemed Royal Patron of the World Tipiṭaka, who passed away in January this year.
Last year Mahā Bodhi Society of India was the first institution in the Republic of India to have received the World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script. The 40-volume edition was a gift of Dhamma from Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand. It is based on the Chattasangiti Edition or the Great International Buddhist Council of the Buddhist Era 2500. We are, thus, extremely grateful that the Royal Gift of Tipiṭaka will be used as a Pāḷi text for Chanting at this historic occasion.
Chanting is of utmost importance in the Theravāda Buddhist Tradition. What is unique this year is that the Roman-script World Tipiṭaka Edition “The Mahāsangiti Tipiṭaka Buddhavasse 2500” will be chanted at the Annual Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony for the first time. This can be stated that the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka which was chanted at the most auspicious First Buddhist Council more than 2500 years ago, and has been chanted at all the Great Buddhist Councils --Mahā Sangiti-- and today, will be chanted again at the Sri Mahā Bodhi of Buddhagaya.
Equally important is that this year event is participated by international delegates of Venerable Buddhist Monks from all over the world. For the Dhamma Society and the World Tipiṭaka Project, it is the special privilege to have been part of this incomparable meritorious act. Only the correct Chanting from the pristine purity of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka will ensure the preservation of the Buddha's word for the future generation.
To participate in the Chanting of the World Tipiṭaka Edition is, therefore, a noblest act of great significance. We are very pleased that today Dhamma Society has been joined by representatives from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
I would like to inform this assembly that today, 3-volume special colour-plate Tipiṭaka, printed by the latest digital colour printing technology will be presented to representatives of the Theravada Buddhist institutions participating at this year Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony. Tomorrow, The first volume of Majjhimanigaya in Roman script from the World Tipiṭaka Edition will be presented to all the venerable monks. The total 600 sets of Majjhimanigāya volumes, will be presented by Dhamma Society.
In order to facilitate the in-depth studies of the Tipiṭaka at this Chanting Ceremony, we have provided a special Tipiṭaka Desk to assist all participants on how to use the World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script. We will also provide a new information on the new forthcoming electronic Tipiṭaka and Tipiṭaka WebService which will be available on the internet after this historic occasion.
Last but not least, I would like to introduce our leaders, Dr. Prasart Chantratit and Mrs Cherchom Chantratit, and the 24 members of Tipiṭaka Delegation who are standing over there. I would like to take this auspicious occasion to congratulate on the success of this year Chanting Ceremony.
May the Chanting of Tipiṭaka bring Peace and Wisdom to individuals and the whole world.
Thank you very much.
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World Tipiṭaka 
