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Policy Framework for Tipiṭaka Presentation

The Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Council Edition
40 Volumes in Roman Script B.E. 2548 (2005)

Presented as a donation by

His Majesty the King's Elder Sister
 Her Royal Higness Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand

Honorary President of
Tipiṭaka Presentation Worldwide

  to be organized by the Dhamma Society Fund
Under the Patronage of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ñāṇasaṃvara
The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

1. Background

The Dhamma Society under the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, between 1999-2005, initiated and undertook the new proof-reading and publication of the 40-Volume Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, the Buddhist Era 2500 Great International Council Edition in Roman script, which was published in 2005 --the World's first complete Great International Council Edition in Roman script (40 volumes). Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, His Majesty the King's elder sister and the Royal Matriarch of the Descendents of King Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao the Great of Siam, graciously accepted to be the Honorary President of the Tipiṭaka Presentation and led the Royal Tipiṭaka Pilgrimage to present a special inaugural set to the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on March 6, 2005, in Colombo. Two additional inaugural sets were graciously presented to Thailand on August 15, 2005 and to Sweden on September 13, 2005, which are now preserved at the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Thailand and at the Library Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala University, the Kingdom of Sweden, respectively.


2. Objectives

2.1 To publish the authoritative sacred Pāḷi texts as a Gift of Dhamma.
2.2 To set an international standard for printing of Pāḷi Tipiṭaka World Edition.
2.3 To follow the tradition of Tipiṭaka printing initiated by the King of Siam in 1893.
2.4 To initiate the programme for International Tipiṭaka Studies of the World edition.
2.5 To unify a network of Tipiṭaka studies and Vipassanā practice.


3. Time

To be inaugurated in 2005.
 
The 112nd anniversary Printing of King Chulachomklao of Siam's Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Bangkok Era 112 (1893), the world's first printed set (39 volumes) of the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka.

Worldwide presentation is scheduled to commence in 2007.


4. Criteria for International Recipient Institution

4.1 This institution already received the King of Siam's Tipiṭaka as a Royal Gift of Wisdom & Peace.
4.2 The King of Siam's Tipiṭaka has been well preserved in this institution.
4.3 This institution is ready to be presented with the Tipiṭaka by Dhamma Society.
4.4 This institution will initiate Tipiṭaka Studies after the presentation.
4.5 This institution is supportive of education for sustainable peace of humanity.


5. Presentation Process

5.1 Dhamma Society Thailand will be responsible of institutional coordination.
5.2 Selection and invitation of Honorary Tipiṭaka Presentation Leaders.
5.3 Special orientation for Honorary Tipiṭaka Presentation Leaders.
5.4 Planning of presentation ceremony in coordination with local advisors.
5.5 Organizing of Tipiṭaka workshop and Tipiṭaka Pilgrimage after presentation.


6. The Inaugural Tipiṭaka Presentation Ceremony

6.1 To honour the Buddhist Sovereign Monarchy of Thailand.
6.2 To set an example for leading international institutions of the world.
6.3 To set an example for international institutions worldwide for cooperation.
6.4 To set an example of cooperation among peace-loving Tipiṭaka patrons worldwide.
6.5 To be presented to Sri Lanka and Sweden as the first institutional countries.


7. Post Presentation

7.1 Organizing and holding a special Tipiṭaka workshop after presentation.
7.2 Organizing and doing a Tipiṭaka Studies and Pilgrimage after workshop.

January B.E. 2549 (2006)

Update recent royal presentation
in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs