Presentation of the World Tipitaka Saj-jha-ya Phonetic Recitation Editions: The King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit Commemorative 2016 Editions to the South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies L ...
On 11 December 2025 H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to Austria as representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Tipitaka Foundation presented the World Tipitaka Saj-jha-ya Phonetic Recitation: The King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit Commemorative 2016 Editions (80 volumes in total) to the South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies Library at the University of Vienna.
The volumes were officially received by Prof. Dr. Nina Mirnig, Acting Head of the Department of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies; Dr. Sylvia Stapelfeldt Head of the South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies Library; and Dr. Wolfgang Nikolaus Rappert, Deputy Director of the Vienna University Library. The ceremony was also witnessed by Prof. Birgit Kellner, President of the International Association for Buddhist Studies and Director of the Institute for the Cultural and Intellectual History of Asia of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, along with faculty members, students, and officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna.
On this occasion, the Ambassador delivered remarks emphasizing the significance of Austria as one of the countries Their Late Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother paid a State Visit to in 1964. This presentation, therefore, continues the royal tradition of disseminating the teachings and wisdom of Buddhism globally, while strengthening the intellectual, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Thailand and Austria.
The recipients from the University of Vienna expressed their profound gratitude and recognized the invaluable academic merit of the Saj-jha-ya Tipitaka set. Dr. Sylvia Stapelfeldt, Head of the South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies Library, recalled the historical connection when King Rama V presented the first printed Tipitaka during his visit in 1897, and affirmed that this new edition will serve as a vital resource for research in the library. Prof. Dr. Nina Mirnig, Acting Head of the Department, praised the edition as an extraordinary scholarly treasure that restores the oral tradition dimension of the canon through the innovative musical notation system for stress, duration, and tone, benefiting scholars in Buddhist Studies, Musicology, Linguistics, and Cultural History. Prof. Birgit Kellner noted that the innovative Pāli Notation system, which uses standard musical symbols to mark stress, timing, and tone, transforms the Tipitaka into almost a musical score", which is particularly beneficial in the current diverse and interdisciplinary academic landscape. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Ernst Steinkellner, Professor Emeritus and Founder of the Institute (in advance message), commended the successful use of modern innovation to ensure the correct and precise recitation according to Kaccāyana’s Pāli grammar, confirming that the Buddha's message is still strongly alive.
The presentation of the World Tipitaka Saj-jha-ya Editions is part of a global dissemination project by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Tipitaka Foundation. This initiative honors the 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua in 2024 and aims to donate the Tipitaka to institutions in more than 36 countries, especially those with close ties and where Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother paid royal visits. This event marks another significant step in strengthening the intellectual and cultural ties and strengthening the enduring friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Austria.
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