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Benediction
 
 
His Holiness Somdet Phra Nāṇasaṃvara
the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
Delivered at
The Installation Ceremony of the International Tipiṭaka Collection
Presented as a donation to
The Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
by
The M.L.Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society Fund
Under the Patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
To be enshrined at
The newly established International Tipiṭaka HallThe
Arts Building One, The Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Wednesday 20th September B.E. 2543 (A.D.2000)
Greetings to Your Excellency the President of Chulalongkorn University and fellow adherents of Buddhasāsana
It is with great pleasure that I visit the prestigious Chulalongkorn University for the first time this day -- a day deemed to be an immensely important event in the history of Buddhasãsana in Thailand. This auspicious occasion marks the celebration of the establishment of International Tipiṭaka Collection of Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures presented as a Gift of Dhamma by the M.L. Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society Fund under the Patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, to be enshrined at the International Tipiṭaka Hall, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, the celebrated Alma Mater of the late Thanpuying M.L. Maniratana Bunnag.
The ceremony today is an expression of profound gratitude not only to the Teachings of the Buddha but also to this modern academic institute of higher learning, graciously established by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, who is honoured as Supreme Scholar of Siam. The King founded Chulalongkorn University with his fervent intent to encourage Thai youth to be able to attain a quality education that equals the standards of modern countries in the world. By royal behest, the architectural style of the institution's first building is that of the exquisite Thai style of royal temples built as a dedication to Thai monarchs of previous reigns.
The university can in fact be regarded as a modern temple of learning since it shares many of the same functions as temples in olden days -- both of them being a main source of education. That the International Tipiṭaka Collection of Theravada Buddhist Scriptures is enshrined in this University's first building, now known as the International Tipiṭaka Hall, should be received with much jubilation and appreciation. This occasion can be taken as a good omen that the burning fire of desire is to be quelled and subsequently extinguished by adherence to the Law of Dhamma.
It is also appropriate to mention that the current President of Chulalongkorn University is himself a devout Buddhist. He was once ordained as a Buddhist monk at Borvornives Temple, and I had the honour of being his preceptor at the ordination ceremony. For this reason, that the International Tipiṭaka Hall is established during the time he is in office is an extraordinarily auspicious moment in his life that he greets with utmost joy. He is thus ready to devote himself to kindle the principles of Dhamma in the hearts of all lecturers and students, male and female alike, which will in turn bring about peace and tranquillity to our beloved nation.
On behalf of the Thai Saṃgha and on behalf of all devout Buddhists, I would like to express my anumodana to the donor of your invaluable gift -- a collection of the Holy Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, as a tribute of Dhamma to this university. Your donation serves perfectly well with King Vajiravudh's noble idea in founding this university. Instead of building a traditional royal monastery, the King built a university to serve both as the academic and spiritual aspiration of the Thai people. This moment symbolizes the fulfilment of the royal wish. If this occasion could be made known to our late Beloved Sovereign Monarch by any means, I am confident that King Vajiravudh would truly rejoice and appreciate your admirable deed, and thus invoke the omnipotent power of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṃgha to bestow blessings upon you.
May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and blessings to you all who have gathered here at this ceremony.
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World Tipiṭaka 
