Buddhism, once a thriving spiritual force in Odisha, witnessed a decline after the 14th century, vanishing from mainstream literary and cultural traditions. For centuries, its presence remained obscured until the remarkable archaeological excavations of Ratnagiri, in the starting of 2nd half of 20th century (by Debala Mitra between 1958 and 1961) and subsequently other sites in later years shed light on its forgotten legacy. Though several literary works have attempted to reconnect with Odisha’s Buddhist heritage, such efforts have been sparse and fragmented.

This transliteration of the Pali Tripitaka into Odia script stands as one of the first of its kind. It is as an endeavor aimed at bridging the lost literary connection and reawakening the rich heritage of Buddhism in Odisha. It is not just a scholarly pursuit but a beacon for future works, serving as a torchbearer for the resurgence of Buddhism in Odisha and its literary tradition.

The Charyapada, a collection of mystical poems, songs of realisation in the Vajrayāna tradition of Buddhism, has remained the last connected dot in Odisha’s literary engagement with Buddhist scriptures. This work strives to reignite that link, ensuring that the wisdom of the Tripitaka is accessible to Odia readers and scholars.

The realization of the Dhammapatha project has been a journey of dedication, and reverence. This work stands on the foundation laid by many individuals and platforms whose invaluable contributions have made this endeavor possible.

First and foremost, heartfelt gratitude to Tripitaka.org for providing the Devanagari Pali Tripitaka resources, which served as the core reference for this work. Their open-source repository has been instrumental in making this knowledge accessible.

Deep appreciation also goes to modern technology and Artificial Intelligence, whose capabilities in code-writing and web development have played a crucial role in shaping the structure and functionality of the website. Their assistance has made the technical implementation smoother and more efficient. The logo and favicon is designed by Freepik

A special mention to Aksharamukha, the powerful transliteration tool that has simplified the process of converting Devanagari Pali into Odia script, ensuring authenticity and precision in linguistic preservation. Basic proof reading have been done in this regard however I encourage the reader to write about their experience.

Finally, immense gratitude to all who have been a part of my dhamma practice—from those who first introduced me to the teachings to those who continue to guide and support my practice, particular mention of my family and friends. This work is dedicated to all beings, serving as a guide in their dhamma journey.

May this humble endeavor serve as a bridge between past and present, ensuring that the wisdom of the pali canon continues to inspire, guide, and enlighten all seekers of truth. With deep gratitude to all who have contributed, may the fruits of this labor bring happiness to all beings and uphold the light of the Dhamma.

Vow to Spread The Dhamma
  1. There are beings without limit, Let us take the vow to convey them all across.
  2. There are depravities in us without number, Let us take the vow to extinguish them all.
  3. There are truths without end, Let us take the vow to comprehend them all.
  4. There is the Way of Buddha without comparison, Let us take the vow to accomplish it perfectly.

~ Encyclopedia of Religion & Ethics, Vol. X, p. 168.