For the Buddhadhamma to take root in a particular culture it should be transmitted in the vernacular of that culture. The Buddha himself made this point when he rejected a proposal to preserve his teachings in Sanskrit metre and instead instructed his followers to learn the Dhamma in their own language.

Today, I understand, there is a growing interest in Buddhism among people in India, the land of its birth, especially those of higher education. The rational, ethically pure, and pragmatic teachings of the Buddha provide a crucial remedy for the intellectual and moral confusion of our time. Interest in Buddhism is keen in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a region where Buddhism once flourished. To bring the message of the Buddha to the people in this region, the Dhamma should be offered in the Telegu language.

The website www.Buddhavachanam.com, which offers the Buddha’s words in Telugu translations, is doing a valuable service both for the Dhamma and for the Telugu-speaking people of these states. I hope this website will enable ever more Telegu-speakers to learn the Dhamma and attract capable people to contribute to its success.

My blessings are with everyone involved in this noble endeavor.

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi