84000 Sutra Resounding led by HH Sakya Trizin

“It is said that even just by doing one prostration or offering one light [to the Kangyur and Tengyur] will of course earn great merit. But the more important thing is not just only to pay respect or to keep in the shrine and to make offerings. Most important thing, we must study, through the study we must gain the blessing.” — His Holiness Sakya Trizin

HHST NY 1His Holiness inspects 84000’s recently translated texts.

On April 3, 2014, His Holiness Sakya Trizin led a sutra resounding to mark the completion of his three-day teaching on “A Gift of Dharma to Kublai Khan” at Kunchab Ling in Walden, New York. Close to 100 people participated in this event.

This was the first time that a sutra resounding had been organized in New York. Sutra resounding draws inspiration from a Tibetan practice considered to be very meritorious. Traditionally, sutra resounding involves many monks reading aloud 70,000 pages of the Tibetan Buddhist Kangyur simultaneously; the written words of the Buddha are transformed into sound, and the altruistic intention of the practitioners – the readers and their patrons – reverberate along with the voices throughout the monastery and into the space beyond.

The event began with a welcome speech and introduction by Chodrung Kunga of Tsechen Kunchab Ling. She dedicated the sutra reading to the late Gene Smith, who spent his entire life searching, collecting, and digitizing Tibetan manuscripts—which laid the foundation for 84000 to translate the texts into English now. Chodrung then informed the audience of the origins of 84000, and detailed the reasons why it is important for the Buddha’s words to be translated into English.

Sarah Wilkinson, North America Team Lead for 84000, was then invited to share about 84000’s goals, and the progress and achievements to date.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin then spoke about the significance of the words of the Buddha and why there is a need for the Tibetan canon to be translated. He emphasized on the importance of reading and studying the words of the Buddha, so as to tame the mind. His Holiness then dedicated the sutra reading to the smooth progress and complete success of 84000.

Please read the transcripts of their speeches below:

See the photo slideshow from the event below:


Posted: 5 May 2014