PALI TIPIṬAKA CHANTING CEREMONY
IN BODHGAYA, INDIA, ON DECEMBER 2–12, 2023
(Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong)
The Pali Tipitaka includes the Suttas, Vinaya, and Abhidhamma written in an ancient Pali language. This is the Dhamma left for humanity by Shakyamuni Buddha, to turn suffering into peace of happiness for both monks and laypeople. The Pali Tipitaka has been translated into English, Vietnamese, and other languages.
The Tipitaka (Triple Basket) in Vietnamese is comprised of:
1) The Sutta Pitaka consists of five sets of Nikayas (Dīgha-nikāya, Majjhima-nikāya, Saṃyutta-nikāya, Aṅguttara-nikāya, Khuddaka-nikāya).
2) The Vinaya Pitaka contains the precepts of Bhikkhus, Bhikṣuṇīs, and disciplines in the monastery.
3) The Abhidhamma Pitaka explains, analyzes, summarizes, and makes it easy to understand the Buddha’s teachings in the scriptures.
Photo: The scene of great chanting
under the Bodhi Tree, December 3, 2023
The Pali Tipitaka Recitation Assembly, led by Dr. Wangmo Dixey (president of the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International (LBDFI)[1] and monks in Theravada Buddhist countries, is organized yearly at the Mahabodhi Tower, Bodh Gaya, India. This year of 2023 is the 18th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony, Bodhgaya, India, and is hosted by Cambodian Buddhism (Cambodia Chief Organizer). It will be rotated to every country each year.
The great Vinaya Pitaka recitation ceremony was very large with the participation of more than 4,000 monks, nuns, and Buddhists from Southeast Asian Buddhist countries such as India, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam. Each country will take turns leading the Pali chanting ceremony every day.
Photo: Bhikkhuni Gioi Huong chants with the Roman Pali Vinaya
The Sutta Pitaka (the first basket of the three Pitakas) had been recited in previous years and in the year 2023 chanting of the Vinaya Pitaka (Vinaya Pitaka Parajika Pali, Pacittiyapali, Maha-Vagga Pali) began. However, because there are numerous countries and languages, the Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation (Taiwan, R.O.C.) offered to print the Vinaya in many languages such as Roman Pali, Devanagari Pali, Thai Pali, Bengali Pali, and Khmer Pali. Because of the large amount of participants and the limited area in front of the Bodhi Tree, each country set up its own tent around the Mahabodhi Tower. There is a master of ceremonies who is holding a microphone and chanting loudly in their country's language. The Buddhist Sangha of India (host) and Bangladesh arranged to chant under the Bodhi tree.
On the opening day, many Most Venerable Elders from Southeast Asian countries were present. On the government side, Mr. Ramnath Kovind (former president of India) and Governor Phagu Chauhan were the chief guests who came to give a speech. Numerous other patrons also came to the stage to congratulate the great chanting Tipitaka ceremony and warmly welcome the participants.
The daily chanting schedule was from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Dhamma talks were offered alternately by the monks, and then at the end of the hour, the musical performances were given by Cambodian and Indian artists. International delegations and individuals came to make offerings at break time as well. Many delegations cooperated with the organizers to prepare food offerings such as vegetarian lunches, tea, and fruit cakes. It was very thoughtful and caring so that the participants could be free from worries to perform all-day chanting in the ceremony.
Photo: Vietnamese nuns return to attend the Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony
On the occasion of the ten days of chanting in the Pali Vinaya ceremony, the devas and humans rejoiced as there were more than 4,000 monks, nuns, and Buddhists from Southeast Asian countries attending, including Ven. Bikkhuni Gioi Huong (Abbot of Huong Sen Pagoda, California, USA), nuns, and Buddhists from near and far, and those who have sincerely donated spending money and 3,000 suttas compiled by Huong Sen Pagoda.
Photo: 
Dr. Kaylan Priya Thero Mahathero
and Bikkhuni Gioi Huong make offerings to the Great Monk
May the merits be rejoiced of those monks, nuns, and Buddhists from all over the world who have returned to the sacred Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Tower, Bodhgaya, India, together chanting the suttas and revising the precious, noble and liberated teachings of the Buddha.
We would like to sincerely thank the nuns, the Buddhists of Huong Sen Pagoda, and compatriots from near and far who have generously made offerings. A special thanks to Dr. Siri Sumedha Mahathero (Abbot of Ceylon Temple), Dr. Kaylan Priya Mahathero (Abbot of Bangladesh Temple), and Bhante Buddharatna, along with Indian Buddhists who helped with the packing of 3,000 books, as well as helping to transport all the gifts to the sacred Bodhi Tree and Mahabodhi Tower. From the bottom of my heart with full reverence, I offer this to the Great Sangha.
May the Dhamma practice of giving and offering
Be the root of happiness and blessings.
Bodh Gaya, December 3, 2023
Sincere regards,
With metta,
Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photo: Offerings to Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha
[1]. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tipitaka-chanting-to-begin-in-bodh-gaya-on-december-
/articleshow/95871041.cms
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICEL PALI TIPIṬAKA CHANTING CEREMONY WITH COLOFRUL PHOTOS: 0._Tung_Tam_Tang_Tipitaka_Dec_2023_-_TN_Gioi_Huong.pdf
