Project

A Critical Edition and Translation of the Pali Buddhist Ritual Text—Buddhabhiseka in Thai Culture: In Consultation with Two Palm-Leaf Manuscript Traditions, Modern Thai Script Printed Edition, and Some Adaptations from Pali Canonical and Non-Canonical

Program

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Translation Grants in Buddhist Studies

Department

Humanities

Abstract

Buddhabhiseka is a chanting Pali text in the Siamese Buddha image consecration ritual. One of its main aims is to infuse some of the Buddha’s noble qualities and his biographical account into Buddha image(s) through repeated recitation and chanting. The Pali text on the infusion of some of the Buddha’s noble qualities and his biographical account is probably a unique Pali textual presentation, which hardly appears in other Theravada Buddhist ritual contexts. Despite the fact that the broad ritual aspect of the Buddhabhseka has so often been discussed, its textual features and content have been relatively less discussed. In fact, there is no complete English translation of any of the Pali Buddhabhiseka versions.