84000 at Karmapa’s Berlin Visit

Contributing writer: Casey A. Kemp

During H.H. Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s first visit to Europe, 84000 was honored to have an information table at his teachings in Berlin, June 5th-8th, 2014. The four-day program, with over 1,500 people in attendance each day, was a packed schedule of teachings given by H.H. Karmapa that included talks on mind training, environmental sustainability and a special event for youth.

84000 volunteer team at work. Photo: Julia Homilius

Many visitors to 84000’s table had not heard about the project, but when they were told of its mission to translate the words of the Buddha into modern languages and to support translators of Buddhist literature, there was unanimous support. People were particularly inspired when they learned about the fast progress that 84000 is making in translating the Tibetan Kangyur into English. Several people mentioned that it may be the most important current project to sustain Dharma globally.

One volunteer, who also translates for 84000, spoke about how her experiences with the project has given her a sense of purpose because she feels that her work through it is truly meaningful. Some teens and young adults attending the events also communicated their desire to pursue studying Tibetan, Sanskrit, and classical Chinese to become translators because of the immense importance of 84000’s mission.

84000 is very grateful to H.H. Karmapa and the organizers of his Europe program for the generous offer of support. As H.H. Karmapa wrote in his letter to the Translating the Words of the Buddha Conference in 2009: “Translating the words of the Buddha and the commentarial treatises from Tibetan into English is a necessary foundation for the genuine study and practice of the Buddhadharma for English speakers.” With the interest in Buddhism continuing to grow in Europe and throughout the West, it is even more critical for the Buddha’s words to be available in English and other modern languages.

H.H. Karmapa reading sutras translated by 84000. Photo: John L. Solomon

See the photo slideshow from the event below:

Photos: Joy Zhu, Julia Homilius, Thomas Zachmeier

Posted: 14 Jul 2014