The Royal Gift of Pali Tipitaka

A Great Honour for Malaysian Buddhists

The Nalanda Institute Malaysia was recently nominated by the World Tipitaka Council based in Sri Lanka to receive the most precious gift of Pali Tipitaka in Roman Script, published and presented by the Dhamma Society of Thailand. The Tipitaka Council nominates leading institutions worldwide to receive the sacred Buddhist texts for the purpose of further propagating the Buddha-Sasana. Nalanda Institute was nominated mainly due to its strong track record and promotion of Pali Studies, as well as its success in running Buddhist educational programmes in Malaysia.

The presentation ceremony was held at the Constitutional Court of Thailand in Bangkok, on 14 November 2008. The Malaysian delegation to receive the Royal Gift comprised our Institute’s Director Bro. H S Tan, Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama, and Honourable Mr. and Mrs. Tee Kian.

This Royal Gift of Tipitaka in Roman Script is a rare publication and is not available for sale. It is a limited edition of 40-volume, hard-cover set with gold edging, published and printed in 2008 on archival paper using the latest digital printing technology. (See picture above.)

With the arrival and availability of the Tipitaka in Malaysia, Pali Studies will definitely receive a stronger boost. Studying this ancient texts forming the original teachings of the Buddha will enable us to understand the true Dhamma. It is thus said by the ancients that preserving the Pali Tipitaka is preserving the Buddha-word, and propagating the Pali texts is in fact propagating the true doctrine.

We wish to record our highest appreciation and gratitude to the Dhamma Society of Thailand and the World Tipitaka Council for nominating Nalanda Institute and Malaysia for this precious gift. Our appreciation is also extended to Mr. Vijaya Samarawickrama for his pivotal role in facilitating this gift, Nalanda members, and all supporters and well-wishers who were instrumental in making this happen. Maha Sadhu!