Mahabodhi Society receives Roman version of Tripitaka from Thailand's royal family

ANI, Monday, November 19, 2007

Bodh Gaya, Bihar (India) Thailand's royal family has presented the Mahabodhi Society in Bodh Gaya with a Roman version of the 'Tripitaka', a book containing the teachings of Lord Buddha, originally written in the Pali and Devnagari scripts.

Tripitaka is a formal term for Buddhist scriptures.

The Tripitaka writings of the early schools of Buddhism, which were originally memorised and recited orally by disciples, fall into three general categories.

The first is the 'Vinaya Pitaka' or the code of ethics, which were invented on a day-to-day basis as Buddha encountered various behavioural problems with the monks.

The second is the 'Sutra Pitaka', consisting of primary account of Buddha's teachings. It has numerous sub-divisions and contains more than 10,000 sutras and the third is the 'Abhidharma Pitaka'.

The original versions of these scriptures are in ancient Pali and Devnagari script, which have been translated and compiled under Thai royal patronage in Roman script to make it comprehensible for people all over the world.

"This Pali Tripitaka is humanity's heritage from the Buddha. The words of the Buddha have been preserved for over 25 centuries. Now for the first time, it has been printed, the complete collection in Roman script. A universal script that people of the world can pronounce and chant so that peace and wisdom will prevail," said S. Bunnag, Chancellor of the Dhamma Society, Thailand.

"India has a Tripitaka in Devnagari script but it is the first time in India that a Buddhist society has got a Tripitaka in Roman script," said Seevli Thero, In-charge of the Mahabodhi Society of India.

Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born a prince at Lumbini in Nepal over 2,600 years ago. He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

source: http://www.dailyindia.com/show/192618.php/Mahabodhi-Society- receives-Roman-version-of-Tripitaka-from-Thailands-royal-family