The Sangitiyavamsa is a history of the transmission of the Pali scriptures. It was compiled by Somdet Phra Phonnarat (1735–1816) at Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) in Bangkok, a celebrated centre of wisdom and education from ancient times up to the present day. The learned author draws on a range of Pali sources to describe nine scripture recitations held over a period of more than 2000 years: from the first, held just after the Buddha’s passing to Nirvana, to the ninth, convened in Bangkok by King Rama I in 1788 CE. Divided into nine chapters, the Sangitiyavamsa is a rich sourcebook for the history and heritage of Buddhist scriptural traditions from the age of oral recitation to that of written documents. The last chapter discusses the merits and benefits gained by preserving the precious Dharma of the Buddha. This is the first-ever romanized edition of this rare Pali text. It is illustrated and includes an introduction and an index of verses.