Eight volumes of a special edition of the Buddhist sacred text, dedicated to King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016) and Queen Sirikit (1932-2025) of Thailand, are now part of the BGUC’s collection.
The donation of the “World Tipitaka Saj-jha-ya Phonetic Recitation, King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit Commemorative 2016 Edition” was made by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Portugal and the World Tipitaka Foundation, the University of Coimbra (UC) announced in a statement.
The director of BGUC, Manuel Portela, stated that this work “significantly enriches” the bibliographic heritage of the collection.
“Our readers now have access to the canonical collection of Buddhist sacred texts in the Pali language,” he said.
The edition includes phonetic transcription and musical notation, contributing to the knowledge and preservation of traditional modes of recitation.
This rare edition of the Tipitaka (a collection of sacred Buddhist scriptures), which Thailand is donating to institutions in 30 countries, was launched in 2016 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the reign of Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit.
It consists of a 40-volume version dedicated to the King (Pali Phonetic Reference) and another 40 volumes dedicated to the Queen (Pali Monotone Music Notation).
The vice-rector of UC for Culture, Communication, and Open Science, Delfim Leão, acknowledged that the donation from the Kingdom of Thailand “embodies the spirit of cultural and spiritual generosity that transcends borders, reminding us that universities, like sacred texts, are places of memory and dialogue.”
By welcoming the work, the University of Coimbra “reaffirms its commitment to promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, and inclusion – values deeply shared by both the Buddhist tradition and the mission of the Academy,” he added.
Thanpuying Varaporn Pramoj Na Ayudhaya, president of the World Tipitaka Foundation, noted that Thailand has played a significant role for over 130 years in preserving and disseminating Buddhist scriptures through printing.
She recalled that in 1893, the General Library of UC was one of 25 world libraries to receive the first printed version of the Tipitaka (Chulachomklao of Syam Pali Tipitaka Bangkok Era 112 Edition), published during the reign of Chulalongkorn of Siam (King Rama V).
“May the Tipitaka continue to inspire, enlighten, and serve as a beacon of wisdom for future generations,” concluded the president of the World Tipitaka Foundation.
