Tipitaka translation process: MoRAC UM held meeting with Sayadaws and scholars

Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, U Tin Oo Lwin, paid homage to the Sayadaws at the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon), where the Tipitaka Translation Project into English is currently underway, and met with the Tipitaka Translation Editing Committee.

At 9:00 AM on Monday, the Union Minister arrived at the Convocation Hall of the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon), located at Kaba Aye Hill in Mayangone Township, Yangon Region. There, he paid homage to the Sayadaws involved in the Tipitaka Translation Project and discussed matters related to religious affairs. First, the Pro-Rector Sayadaw (Teaching), Dr. Bhaddanta Zawtika, presented findings from the Pali-to-English translation process of “Peṭakopadesa ” pali text. Following that, the university's Archivist Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumana, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the current progress and status of the Tipitaka Translation Project.

The Union Minister expressed that it was a great merit to have the opportunity to meet with the Sayadaws, master degree thesis compiling Sayadaws and scholars working on the translation. He added that, during his time in Yangon, he made this visit to ensure that the translation projects, currently underway, proceed effectively and that there are no obstacles to their success, in accordance with the pre-established plan.

At 11:00 AM, the Union Minister convened a coordination meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Yangon Branch Office).

The meeting involved the Tipitaka Translation Editing Committee from the Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana (Yangon), which is currently reviewing and editing the English translations of the Tipitaka texts—originally translated since 1980 as well as monks involved in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tasks.

During the meeting, the Union Minister discussed the overall Tipitaka translation efforts with senior monks from the university and the committee, and then offered donations such as offertories and cash donation to the Sayadaws, as well as financial donations to men and women scholars. After that, the Union Minister toured an exhibition of the translated Tipitaka volumes displayed in the discussion room.