THE TRIPITAKA TO BE TRANSLATED TO TAI KHAMPTI LANGUAGE

The World Tripitaka Foundation (WTF) Thailand has decided to develop and create Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham) of Tengapani at Namsai District to be the first International Tipitaka Center in India. A senior team of WTF is also expected to visit Kongmu Kham in Namsai District soon for further survey and process for the International Tripitaka Center.

The World Tripitaka Foundation (WTF) is famous for its innovative work of Pali transcription into many Asian languages. The foundation has already published its works in Pali, Roman, Thai (Tai Siam), and Singhalese besides Tai Lue, Tai Mao, and Tai Loung scripts. Now the foundation is working on the transcription and translation of Tai Khamti (Khampti) script & language and soon after will start their work on Tai Phake and Tai Khamyang scripts of Northeastern Indian Tai languages.

Recently former Minister Chowna Mein visited Bangkok (Thailand) and attended the meeting with the World Tripitaka Foundation committee Thailand for the Tai Language transcription of Tripitaka. He was accompanied by Ven. Vimalatissa Bhikkhu (abode of Kongmukham monastery) and members of Tai Khampti Heritage & Literature Society.

The Tai Khampti linguistic team (members of Tai Khampti Heritage and Literature Society) comprising of Ven. Vimalatissa Bhikkhu and Chow Kalingna Mannoi has already completed the transcription and translation of the first volume of Vinaya Sutta (Patimukha) in Tai Khampti language and script. The team is also expected to be working soon on transcription and translation of the 40 volumes of Tripitika in Tai Khampti language and script which will be considered to be the biggest achievement for the Tai Khampti society.

The Tripitaka or Pali canon is the collection of primary Pali language texts which form the doctrinal foundation of Theravada Buddhism. The priceless teachings of the Buddha are preserved in the Pali canon, an extensive, detailed, systematic and analytical record. The Pali canon descends from an august tradition. Within three months after the Buddha's maha-parinibbana, a counsel was convened. It consisted of five hundred learned disciples who had attained the highest state of sainthood, arahant-phala. To prevent the Buddha's words from being distorted by ignorant and unscrupulous people, they formed the First Council to preserve the teaching in its pristine purity. Their express purpose was to collect and arrange the Buddha's voluminous teachings, which they organized into what is now commonly known as the Tripitaka.

While attending the meeting, former minister Chowna Mein greeted the foundation members for their great effort and had praised heartily for undertaking the meritorious work of Buddha Sasana. He gave his word to work with the foundation and agreed to assist the foundation in publishing the Pali Tai Transcription of the Tripitaka to all Tai languages of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Chief Coordinator of World Tripitaka Foundation, Thanapat Choompolsil lauding the efforts of Tai Khampti scholars has informed that the Tai Khampti team on revision of Tai Khampti Pali and transcription of its meaning to Tai Khampti language is to be the 1st Tai branch in NE India that is able to complete the Tripitaka project successfully in a very short period. The foundation acknowledged that their project is meant for precise rendering and pronunciation of Pali language & sound of the language of Buddha and Dhamma of Buddhist Religion and preservation.

By:-Chow Bilaseng Namchoom