Decoding Ancient Manuscripts: The Four Traditions of the Tipiṭaka

The Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Project organized an active learning course focusing on the methodology for producing the critical edition of the Pali Canon, using an extensive collection of palm-leaf manuscripts from four distinct traditions. Participants were divided into small groups and engaged in the following activities:

• Introduction to the four traditions of palm-leaf manuscripts and their significance in compiling a critical edition of the Pali Canon
• Training in the preservation of ancient and fragile palm-leaf manuscripts
• Practice in transliterating ancient local scripts into Pali Roman script
• Hands-on experience with the digital version of the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Series

Active Learning Course

Dr. Suchada Srisetthaworakul, Head of the Center for the Study of Ancient Palm-Leaf Manuscripts, facilitated an active learning course in which participants explored the historical background of the Pali Canon, developed skills in searching canonical texts online, and gained an understanding of the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Series produced by the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Project.

Meditation Course

Ven. Pongsak Thaniyo, Ph.D., a certified mindfulness therapist and meditation instructor, organized an online course on “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)” for staff members of Sony Corporation, Japan. The course was designed to cultivate calm and focus while helping participants practice simple mindfulness techniques in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Integrating Meditation Practices to Promote Students’ Mental Health

Ven. Pongsak Thaniyo, Ph.D., held an online meeting with the Director and staff of the Counseling Office at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). The discussion focused on incorporating meditation to enhance students’ mental health, aligning with one of the college’s core missions.

Lecture on Buddhism Along the Silk Road

Ven. Pongsak Thaniyo, Ph.D., delivered a lecture on “Buddhism Along the Silk Road” to students of the International Program, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. The lecture explored the background of Buddhism, the history of the Silk Road, and the spread of Buddhism along this historic trade route.

Involvement in the Pali and Sanskrit Seminar

DTP scholars actively participated as speakers in the Pali and Sanskrit seminar conducted on Saturdays throughout August and September 2023. The seminar encompassed a wide array of topics:

• August 19: Exploring the Impact of Pali and Sanskrit on the Thai Language
• August 26: The Interplay Between Literature and Translation
• September 2: Delving into Ancient Languages and Sacred Scripts
• September 9: Focusing on Textual Editing and Translation
• September 16: Depictions of Buddhist Art in Pali Texts

A Celebrated Accomplishment: The Beida-Dhammachai Pali Series and Its Chinese Translation

The Chinese translation of the Majjhima Nik?ya from the Beida-Dhammachai Pali Series (BDP) has earned prestigious recognition in China's ancient literature category. This remarkable achievement has not only been granted publication funding by the Chinese government but has also achieved best-seller status in Taiwan. The translation of the Pali Tipiṭaka into Chinese stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the DCI Center for Buddhist Studies and the Research Institute of Sanskrit Manuscripts and Buddhist Literature at Peking University.

Co-Organizing an Online Seminar to Promote Palm-Leaf Manuscript Preservation and Study

On April 18, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, the DCIBS Online Buddhist Studies Course and the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Project collaborated to host a seminar titled "From Palm-Leaf Manuscripts to the Digital Version of Tipiṭaka: To Come into Existence, Prevail, and Prosper." The seminar comprised two sections. The first section covered the current status of palm-leaf manuscripts and featured presentations by Ven. Ammarin Santidhammo, Head of the Center for the Preservation of Palm-Leaf Manuscripts, and Dr. U-tain Wongsathit from the Faculty of Archaeology at Silpakorn University. The second section explored the production of the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Series, the result of in-depth study of canonical text, and was presented by Ven. Dr. Thanavuddho, Director of the DCI Center for Buddhist Studies.

Giving Sermon on the Transmission of the Lord Buddha's Teachings

In his series of sermons, Ven. Dr. Pongsak Thaniyo addressed four significant topics:

• 6 April 2024: The Priceless Wisdom of Lord Buddha's Teachings
• 13 April 2023: From Oral Tradition to Written Records
• 21 April 2023: The Deterioration of the Inscription Over Time
• 28 April 2023: Integrating Technology for the Restoration of Ancient Inscriptions

Participation in an Online Conference Demonstration

Dr. Sumachaya Harnsukworapanich participated in a digital demonstration session as part of the Computational Sanskrit and Digital Humanities (CSDH) section at the 2023 World Sanskrit Conference (WSC). Her presentation focused on "Introducing the Digital Version of the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Edition."