The Inaugural Meeting of the MPSC Board

Between September 27 and 28, 2019, the Manuscript Preservation and Studies Center (MPSC) convened its first board meeting. This gathering brought together experts in ancient scripts from various institutions and universities, including the National Library of Thailand, the Manuscript Conservation Association, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University's Chiang Mai Campus. The agenda focused on collaborative strategies in areas such as manuscript surveys, database development, and knowledge dissemination.

DTP Staff's Participation Seminars

Between August 16 and 17, 2019, DTP staff members attended "Ubon Bai Lan Forum No. 1." This forum was organized by the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Ubon Rajathanee University in collaboration with the Mani Wanaram Museum, located at Wat Pa Noi in the Muang District of Ubon Rajathanee Province. The primary objective of this forum was to rekindle interest in the study of palm-leaf manuscripts. During the opening ceremony, Phra Thep Worachan, the President, emphasized the importance of actively studying palm-leaf manuscripts rather than leaving them dormant in cabinets. Manuscripts serve as invaluable sources of 'evidence,' 'ideas,' and 'Damma' (teachings).

Participation in the Launch of the Learning Media Series

On August 16, 2019, representatives from the Digital Humanities Center (DHC) and the Media and Publication Center (MPC) attended the launch of the learning media series “The 2,600-Year Transmission of the Pali Tipiṭaka” at the International Tipiṭaka Hall, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. After the event, participants had the opportunity to visit the International Tipiṭaka Hall, located on the 2nd floor of the Maha Chulalongkorn Building. This building was established to serve as a comprehensive repository of all Buddhist teachings and to support the teaching and study of Theravāda Buddhism.

Seminar on Lanna Palm-leaf Manuscripts

"The Seminar on Lanna Palm-Leaf Manuscripts took place at the DCI Center for Buddhist Studies on June 15, 2019. The morning session featured presentations on three topics: “Palm-Leaf Manuscripts in Lanna,” “Exploring Colophon Data from Manuscripts Discovered in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province,” and “Methodological Approaches for Selecting Tham Manuscripts to Create Critical Editions.”

In the afternoon, a lively discussion was held on the topic “The Preservation and Traces of Extant Manuscripts in Lanna.” Esteemed experts in ancient scripts, including Ven. Ammarin Santidhammo, Associate Professor Dr. Viroj Inthanon, Dr. Phisit Kotsupho, and Mr. Boonlert Senanon, led the discussion. The panel was moderated by Dr. Suchada Srisetthaworakul and Mr. Watana Phungchuen."

Workshop on Managing Open Access Cultural Digital Data

Staff members from the Digital Humanities Center (DHC) and the Tipiṭaka Research Center (TRC) participated in a workshop titled “Managing Open Access Cultural Digital Data.” The workshop, organized by the Digital Humanities Research Group at Khon Kaen University, featured a comprehensive program.

The morning session, led by Assistant Professor Wirapong Chansanam, focused on “Linked Open Data and Semantic Search.” In the afternoon, Associate Professor Wanida Kanarkard delivered a special lecture on “Cultural Heritage Tools.” The final segment of the workshop involved the development of research proposals for managing digital information in the field of cultural heritage, guided by Professor Gobinda Chowdhury and Associate Professor Kulthida Tuamsuk.

The 1st Seminar on P?li Texts and Manuscripts

The Tipiṭaka Research Center (TRC) organized its inaugural seminar on Pāli texts and manuscripts, centered on the theme “Philological Points in the Dīghanikāya and Majjhimanikāya Based on Palm-leaf Manuscripts from Five Traditions.” The event took place at the DCI Center for Buddhist Studies in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and featured a program of ten presentations by researchers representing the Burmese, Sinhalese, and Thai traditions. Distinguished guest commentators included Ven. Associate Prof. Dr. Candamukha, Dr. Utain Wongsathit, and Dr. Yukio Yamanaka.

Presentation at the 69th JAIBS Conference

During the 69th JAIBS conference, Dr. Bunchird Chawarithreonglith, Head of the Tipiṭaka Research Center, delivered a presentation titled “Examples and Challenges in Using the Commentaries as a Tool for Creating a Critical Edition of the Dīghanikāya.” Simultaneously, Dr. Suchada Srisetthaworakul, Head of the Center for the Study of Ancient Manuscripts, presented “A Comparative Analysis of Majjhimanikāya Texts from Selected Khom Script Manuscripts Discovered in Thailand and Cambodia.

ITAP Program Presentation at the World Sanskrit Conference

Dr. Sumachaya Harnsukworapanich, a system analyst of the Dhammachai Tipiṭaka Project (DTP) at the Digital Humanities Center, presented a canonical text editing program developed by DTP, titled “Introduction to the Indic Text Analysis Program (ITAP),” at the 17th World Sanskrit Conference, hosted by the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The First International Seminar on Buddhist Manuscripts and Traditions

Researchers from DTP delivered lectures and shared their knowledge on ancient scripts found in four traditions of palm-leaf manuscripts, as well as on the development of computer programs to support canonical text analysis, during the First International Seminar on Buddhist Manuscripts and Traditions. The seminar was initiated by Boya Chair Professor Duan Qing, Director of the PKU Research Institute of Sanskrit Manuscripts and Buddhist Literature.

Research Presentation at the BFSU–SOAS Joint Conference

Dr. Suchada Srisetthaworakul participated in the inaugural joint conference organized by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and SOAS University of London, held at BFSU on October 15, 2016. Under the theme “Texts, Vision, and Method: Asian and African Studies in the Global Era,” she presented her research on the study of Khom script palm-leaf manuscripts.