Propagation of Sasana: Donation of Tipitaka Attha Kahta Treatises

A ceremony to donate computerized texts of the Tipitaka Attha Kahta Treatises was held at the Maha Pasana Cave in Yangon on Sunday.

Union Minister for Religious Affairs U Tin Oo Lwin donated the treatises to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha led by Chairman Sayadaw of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, together with Yangon Region Chief Minister, regional ministers, donors and officials. Before the Lord Buddha entered Parinirvana, He made a declaration regarding the Dhamma, saying ‘The Dhamma and Vinaya teachings that He had preached will continue to exist with the disciples as their guide.’

This prediction laid the foundation of Theravada Buddhism. The Dhamma teachings preached by Lord Buddha during his 45-year Vassa were scrutinized six times at the Buddhist Councils. From the first to the third Buddhist Councils, the Dhamma teachings were recited by Arahats over a period of seven to nine months.

At the fourth council, held in Sri Lanka, 500 Arahats recited the Buddha’s teachings for a year and inscribed them on palm leaves. However, due to climatic conditions and insect damage, these palm leaf manuscripts deteriorated. Consequently, the fifth Buddhist Council was held for five months and three days during the reign of King Mindon in Myanmar.

At this council, 2,400 members of the Sangha recited the Buddha’s teachings and inscribed them on stone plaques. In 1954, the sixth Buddhist Council was held at the Maha Pasana Cave during the tenure of Prime Minister U Nu. The council included 2,500 members of the Sangha from four Theravada countries, as well as participants from India, Nepal, and Pakistan, who recited the Buddha’s teachings for two years and published the printed texts.

These printed versions need to be reprinted due to deterioration over time. The process of computerizing 51 printed Attha Katha texts began in January 2024, following guidance from the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaws, and was completed in September 2025. An additional 26 Tika treatises are currently being computerized. Arrangements are also underway to develop an e-book version of the completed 51 treatises.