Community Stories

Since 84000 launched our vast Reading Room more than thirteen years ago, the multi-layered database of Buddhist terms, places, people, and other information found in the collection of the Buddhist Kangyur and Tengyur published texts has continued to grow. It now contains more than four million nodes, or data points, across 350 translations—an average of 1,200 nodes per text.

84000’s primary mission is to translate the Buddhist canon for diverse audiences—monastics and scholars as well as practitioners and general readers—while taking great care to make those translations accurate, available, and accessible. At the same time, 84000 strives to create a seamless and user-friendly reading experience that enhances the reader’s understanding.

Film producer Nanette Nelms became a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in 2004, nearly a decade before he summoned her to produce Vara: A Blessing in 2013.

We sat down recently with Dr. Fumi Yao, the translator of The Chapter on Medicines, to learn more about how she came to specialize in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya.

Film director Queena Li—creator of our tenth anniversary #SaveWisdomNow video—shares with 84000 how her interest in exploring the mind has inspired her creativity.

As we marked the anniversary of the Bir Conference 2009 that gave birth to our growing initiative, we sat down with Ivy Ang, who—appointed by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche to facilitate those historic six days—has since been with us every step of the way.

Building on our aspiration to revitalize interest in the foundations of the Buddhadharma, we took to the road (virtually, of course) to ask some of our friends from across the Himalayas which are their favorite 84000 Reading Room features, and why.

Last month, Deborah Dorjee—an instructor at Siddhartha’s Intent—kindly hosted a session during our twenty-four hour virtual sūtra recitation.

84000 Founding Chair Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche received a letter from a 94-year old Bhutanese that touches us deeply.

The best gifts we could receive on our birthday are stories of how our work has helped you! We're touched by Hasta Colman’s inspiring reflection on her own language-learning journey.

Professor Jens Braarvig talks to us about his translation of The Miraculous Play of Mañjuśrī.

DALeast describes street artistry, its connection to the Dharma, and the experience of illustrating Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s book on The Teaching of Vimalakīrti.