Sangha Supreme Council approves a Pali word for COVID-19 – COVIDDHO
Buddhist monks wearing protective plastic suit prepares for arrival of people at the Wat Saphan temple converted as an isolation centre for Covid-19 coronavirus patients in Bangkok on April 29, 2021. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
The Thai Sangha Supreme Council has approved the use of a Pali word, “COVIDDHO”, to stand for coronavirus 19 or COVID-19.
According to the Facebook page about the news of Buddhist activities, the National Office of Buddhism has sought advice from three Pali language experts about the conversion of COVID-19 into an official Pali word during the delivery of a sermon, organized for May 11th to bless Thailand and the Thai people in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three experts are Phra Dhamma Rachanuwat of Wat Molilokayaram in Bangkok Yai district, Phra Thepsakawongbandhit of Wat Bovornnives Vihara in Phra Nakhon District, and Captain Thongyoi Saengsinchai, a representative of the Bureau of the Royal Household.
There was extensive debate by participants in the meeting about the transliteration of the English acronym, COVID-19, into Pali. It was agreed at the meeting, with advice from the three experts, that the English alphabet had to be converted into the Latin alphabet and then into Pali.
So COVID-19 has become “COVIDDHO” in Pali, which was approved by the Sangha Supreme Council.
