Origin
By translating and making available the Tibetan Buddhist texts to modern people, a vast swath of Buddhist civilization and culture may be saved from annihilation.
Our Story
It is with deep admiration and appreciation that we acknowledge Khyentse Foundation for all their efforts in sponsoring and organizing the historic “Translating the Words of the Buddha” Conference in March 2009, from which 84000 was born.
Initiated by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, the conference brought together more than 50 of the world’s leading Tibetan Buddhist teachers, translators, and academics to discuss the importance of translating Buddhist canons, with particular focus on the challenges of translating the Tibetan Buddhist Canon. Over a week of lively and stimulating discussion, the participants recognized that less than 5% of the Tibetan Buddhist canon (Kangyur and Tengyur) had been translated into any modern language. Yet, many of the tradition’s learned masters and scholars – who are capable of accurately interpreting the texts – are already in their old age, or have passed away. This sense of urgency coupled with the grand vision became hugely motivating factors in establishing a collaborative and open project to collectively undertake the translation of the Tibetan Buddhist canon into modern languages.
84000 officially launched in 2010 as a project of Khyentse Foundation—and at the participants’ urging led by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche—with the following 100-year mission:
- To translate and publish the Kangyur within 25 years (70,000 pages); and
- To translate and publish the Tengyur within 100 years (161,800 pages)
- To make these translations freely and universally accessible
For the next three years, it was Khyentse Foundation’s dedication and stewardship that nurtured 84000 into a full-fledged project. Thanks to their support, 84000 matured to independence in June 2013 as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with an independent board chaired by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. At the time of its independence, 84000 received financial support amounting to US$5.4 million from the Foundation.
More information:
http://khyentsefoundation.org/kf-nurtures-84000-to-independence/
The resolutions of the March 2009 conference remain as guiding principles of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, and we continually strive to maintain the motivation of the conference, and to fulfill these commitments.
The teachings of the Buddha have brought immeasurable benefit for sentient beings for many centuries. Therefore, for the benefit of all beings today and in the future:
- We resolve to adopt the 100-Year Vision, 25-Year Goals, and 5-Year Goals developed at the Translating the Words of the Buddha Conference, under the name of the Buddhist Literary Heritage Project (renamed as “84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha” in March 2011).
- We resolve to make every effort to invite the participation of the masters and holders of all lineages and to invite the many translators who were not present in this conference to join us in this effort.
- We resolve that the interim director of the Buddhist Literary Heritage Project shall be Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
- We request Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche to select, in consultation with key advisors, the leaders and members of the working committees who will create the structures necessary for this project.
- We resolve and request that Khyentse Foundation provide administrative support for the initial phases of this project.
- We resolve to develop all the tools and resources necessary to achieve the goals decided on in this conference.
- We resolve to undertake this project in the spirit of universal Buddhist fellowship, drawing on the wisdom of accomplished masters throughout the Buddhist world.
- Conference proceedings
- Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s Keynote Address: “Translating the Words of the Buddhadharma for Hearing, Contemplation and Meditation”
- Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche’s Speech
- Letter from Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
- Mid Conference Update
- Some Notes on the Kanjur Translation Project, by Peter Skilling
Honorary Patrons
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
- His Holiness Sakya Trizin
- His Holiness the late Mindrolling Trichen
- His Holiness the Karmapa
- Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
- Sogyal Rinpoche
- Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche
Chair
- Dzogchen Pönlop Rinpoche
Host
- Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Deer Park Institute
- Khyentse Foundation
Speakers and Participants
- Alexander Berzin, Berzin Archives
- John Canti, Padmakara Translation Group
- Ane Kunga Chodron, George Washington University/Tsechen Kunchab Ling
- Joshua W. C. Cutler, Tibetan Buddhist Learning Centre
- Cortland J. Dahl, Rime Foundation/Tergar Institute
- Catherine Dalton, Rangjung Yeshe Institute/Dharmachakra Translation
- Jake Dalton, University of California, Berkeley/Yale University
- Tyler Dewar, Nalandabodhi/Nitartha
- Ding Nai-Chu
- Lama Doboom Tulku Rinpoche, Tibet House (India)
- Andreas Doctor, Rangjung Yeshe Institute
- Gyurme Dorje
- John Dunne, Emory University
- Wulstan Fletcher, Padmakara Translation Group
- Jessie Friedman, Light of Berotsana
- Steven Goodman, California Institute of Integral Studies
- Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen, Tsechen Kunchab Ling
- Jeffrey Hopkins (by video), University of Virginia
- Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
- Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche
- Gavin Kilty, Institute of Tibetan Classics
- David Kittlestrom, Wisdom Publications
- Anne Carolyn Klein, Rice University/Dawn Mountain
- Derek Kolleeny, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Centre/Nalanda Translation Committee
- Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche
- Jakob Leschly, Siddhartha’s Intent/Khyentse Foundation
- Gwenola Le Serrec, Padmakara Translation Group
- Jules Levinson, Light of Berotsana
- David Lunsford, Bodhi Foundation
- Michele Martin, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Centre/Shambhala Publications
- John McRae, Stanford University
- Larry Mermelstein, Nalanda Translation Committee/Shambhala Publications
- Chok Tenzin Mönlam, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
- Elizabeth Napper, Tibetan Nuns Project
- Joan Nicell, Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
- Zagtsa Paldor, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Centre
- Ani Jinpa Palmo, Shechen Monastery/Khampagar Monastery
- Ani Lodrö Palmo, Yeshe Nyingpo East
- Adam Pearcey, Rigpa/Lotsawa House
- Dzogchen Pönlop Rinpoche
- Raji Ramanan
- Matthieu Ricard, Shechen Monastery
- Marcia B. Schmidt
- Peter Skilling (by video)
- Gene Smith, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Centre
- David Phillip Stanley
- Robert Thurman, Colombia University
- Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
- Martijn van Beek
- Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoche
- Jeff Watt
- Christian K. Wedemeyer
- Scott Wellenbach
- Thomas Yarnell
Observers and Special Guests
- Ang Chui Jin
- Matthew Akester
- Peter Aronson
- Martha Bonzi
- Amelia Chow
- Trish Deitch
- Dr. Sonam Dolma
- Khenpo Choying Dorji
- Prof Gangnegi
- Suresh Jindal
- Stanley Lai
- Frank Lin
- Kelly Lin
- Greg Seton
- Lama Sonam Phuntsho
- Drubgyud Tenzin Rinpoche
- Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
- Tim Walton
- Yong Siew Chin
Advisors
- Jeffrey Hopkins
- Gene Smith
Program Advisory Committee
- Tyler Dewar on behalf of Dzogchen Pönlop Rinpoche (Chair)
- Wulstan Fletcher
- Steven Goodman
- Derek Kolleeny
- Larry Mermelstein
Organizing Committee
- Tashi Colman (Chair)
- Ivy Ang (Conference Facilitator)
- Cangioli Che (Budgets and Finances)
- Linda Coelln (Conference Administrator)
- Lynn Hoberg (Travel Coordinator)
- Laura Lopez (Administration Support)
- Andreas Schultz (Logo Design)
- Alex Trisoglio (Preconference Survey and Proceedings)
Delhi Arrangements
- Atisha
- Pema Biddha
- Gyurme
- Nisheeta Jagtiani
- Raji Ramanan
- Pema Wangchuk
Cultural Performances
- Vidya Rao
- Arjun Sen
On-site Support
- Wyatt Arnold
- Amy Barrodale
- Ginger Brooks
- Pawo Dorje
- Craig Kaufman
- Corey Kohn
- Elise de Grande
- Pema Maya
- Rob MacLachlan
- David Nudell
- Michael Rich
- John Solomon
- Phuntsho Tobgyal
Deer Park Institute
- Prashant Varma (Director)
- Jennifer Yo (Administrator)
- Melitis Kwong (Program Coordinator)
- Linda Griffin (Office Administrator)
- Tenzin Noryang (Office Administrator)
- Arun (Kitchen Manager)
- Vishnu (Kitchen staff)
- Vijay (Kitchen, Assistant Manager)
- Rajinder (Kitchen & Café)
- Pawan (Maintenance Manager)
- Prem Meli (Yoga, Baking and Kitchen Volunteer)
- Trilok (Ecology Handicraft Project Manager)
- Binta (House Keeping)
- Latha (House Keeping)
- Manulal (Security & Organic Farm)
- Tashi (Security)
- Gyan Sagar (Maintenance and Hot Water System)
- Lucy Jurikora (Ecology Project Volunteer)
Sponsor
- Khyentse Foundation
Prior to the conference, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche initiated a drive to gather “signatures of appreciation” for all Dharma translators worldwide.
The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic––a total of 11,351 signatures and messages were gathered in just one week. These messages of support were presented to the translators during the Translating the Words of the Buddha Conference.
Dear Dharma Translators,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you are doing to translate and transmit the Dharma to Westerners. Without you, we couldn’t practice or study the Dharma, so we are hugely grateful for your incredible gift to us!
May your current deliberations in Bir, India, bring the Buddha’s words and teachings to countless sentient beings.
Join Us
With the help of our 108 founding sponsors and thousands of individual donors, we provide funding to the translators who are working to safeguard these important teachings for future generations.
| 70000 | Kangyur pages to be translated |
|---|---|
| 11483 | Pages translated |
| 21022 | Pages in translation |