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approved by the Chattha-Sangayana must be accepted as authentic until there is, in the future, the need for organizing an international Sattama-Sangayana (Seventh Council). Consequently, the Vipassana Research Institute, accepting it as the most authentic version is publishing the Chattha-Sangayana edition in Devanagari script initially.
Some salient features of this Vipassana Research Institute (V.R.I.) publication include the following:
1. Computer technology. Taking advantage of the versatility of computers, storage and retrieval of the voluminous material has been immensely simplified, making it easy to reprint the entire work or parts thereof, as and when required.
2. Archival value. Once the Pali literature is entered on computer, it is planned to convert it to CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) storage medium, which will preserve this invaluable legacy indefinitely.
3. Conversion into other scripts. V.R.I. has developed computer programmes to easily render the Devanagari script Pāli texts into Bengali, Gujarati and other Indian scripts as well as into the Burmese, Sinhalese, Thai, and Roman scripts; it is planned to eventually publish the Tipitaka in these other scripts.
4. Information retrieval. Study and research are greatly enhanced by a computer programme capable of locating any word, verse, sentence or phrase in any part of the Tipitaka in a matter of seconds. This feature opens up vast possibilities for students and research scholars. The previously arduous, perhaps impossible, task of comparison and collation of words in all contexts throughout this vast literature is now a simple matter.
5. Indexes:
(a) A word index is an essential tool for research. The V.R.I. edition includes a comprehensive index of relevant words and terms.
(b) An index of verses is also included which is beneficial for research scholars.
6. Cross-referencing. The text has been cross-referenced with the editions published by the Pali Text Society, London.
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