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[ii]
The tradition continued of organizing the historical Dhamma councils, the last of which, the Chattha-Sangāyana (Sixth Dhamma Council), took place in Myanmar (Burma) in 1954-56 A.D., while simultaneously the healthy tradition of memorizing the words of the Buddha was also maintained.
Just as Ananda was designated as Erudite (Bahussuto), Keeper of the Dhamma (Dhammadharo), Protector of the Treasure of the Great Sage (Kosārakkho mahesino), Preserver of the Truth-based Dhamma (Saddhammadhārako), a Mine of Gems (Ratanākaro), etc., in the same way, at a later time, the Tipitakadharas were called Dhamma-bhandāgārikas (Treasurers of the Dhamma) because they guarded the storehouse of the Dhamma. The tradition of memorizing the Buddha's words was not discontinued even after they were committed to writing; it is continuing even now. The words of Dhamma have been inscribed on palm leaves and marble slabs, printed in book form and even entered into computers—yet the tradition of memorizing and reciting the words continues to this day. This is a healthy tradition which should be perpetuated.
Untill recent times this tradition was represented by Mahāthera Vicittasārābhivamsa of Myanmar, who retained in his memory not only the entire Tipitaka, but also a large portion of the Ațshakathā. Even today four of his colleagues maintain the practice of memorizing the Tipitaka, and are entitled Tipitakadharas. Along with the afore-mentioned Dhamma councils, the healthy tradition of the Vinayadharas, Suttadharas, Abhidhammadharas and Tipitakadharas has played a crucial role in preserving the words of the Buddha in their pure form, during this long history of more than 2,500 years.
India has entirely lost the Dhamma-vacana (words of Dhamma). Perhaps that is why the practice of Dhamma also disappeared from this land. But Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Kampuchea have preserved the words of the Dhamma. The Tipitaka has been preserved in each of these countries, written in different scripts and pronounced somewhat differently, but there is no difference in the underlying text. The books of the Tipitaka in the various scripts were collected on the occasion of the Chattha-Sangāyana and the scholarly monks assembled to review them. They found that a few very nominal differences had developed, perhaps due to carelessness on the part of the reciters or the scribes. But the original form in all the scripts was essentially the same. Therefore, we are greatly indebted to the convenors of these councils and to the Dhamma-bhandāgārikas. Just as the Buddha is a historical person rather than a mythical figure, similarly, the Dhamma-vacana are
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