Tipitaka translation process: MoRAC UM held meeting with Pali and English scholars

The Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, U Tin Oo Lwin, met with missionary Sayadaws who are working to obtain soft copies of scriptures and the Pali Canon Translation Editorial Committee, which has been reviewing and editing the Pali Canon texts translated into English since 1980.

The meeting took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Yangon Branch) in Mayangon Township, Yangon, February 17. Discussions were held regarding the progress of translating and editing the Pali Canon texts into English.

In his opening remarks, the Union Minister stated that out of the 53 texts slated for English translation, 46 have been translated, with 28 previously published. He mentioned that eight texts have now been re-reviewed and edited, and the remaining seven texts have been assigned to four Buddhist universities for translation. He assured that all necessary support would be provided to successfully complete the five-stage translation process of the Pali Canon.

The Union Minister further highlighted that, in line with the guidance of the Head of State, a Pagoda Digital Directory is being developed to allow the public to venerate and study prominent pagodas, stupas, and temples in Myanmar.

The directory for ten significant pagodas has already been completed and is available on the Pagoda Digital Directory Portal (www.pagodadirectory.gov.mm). Additionally, he noted that 63 out of 91 ancient reservoirs in the Bagan World Heritage Site have been fully restored, five are currently under restoration, and the remaining reservoirs will continue to be excavated.

Following this, the Director-General of the Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana provided a detailed presentation via PowerPoint on the status of the Pali Canon translation project, including completed and ongoing tasks.

Subsequently, attending Sayadaws and senior members of the Pali Canon Translation Editorial Committee discussed and presented their respective areas of expertise. In his concluding remarks, the Union Minister expressed his gratitude and offered donations to the attending Sayadaws and senior scholars of the Pali Canon Translation Editorial Committee.