Meet the 84000 team
Through scholarly research, specialized translation, technological innovation, and necessary administrative support, we embrace a collaborative and cross-functional approach in service of our mission: to translate the Tibetan Buddhist canon and make it accessible for all.
Who We Are
Our team is made up of academics, Dharma teachers, technology experts, translators, and practitioners working remotely from twenty-two cities around the world, and all bound together by our core values. Learn more about us!
The 84000 Board
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is a student of important Tibetan Buddhist lamas including Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Sakya Trizin, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, and the 16th Karmapa.
Daniel Aitken is CEO/Publisher of Wisdom Publications and is an experienced business executive with decades of insights gathered from corporate and consumer marketing executive roles.
Erik Pema Kunsang is a Dharma teacher and translator of tantric texts and pith instructions of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.
Jing Rui develops and executes 84000’s strategic vision, managing programs, operations and finances.
Ivy Ang has over thirty years of extensive experience in international business and organizational development.
Sara L. McClintock, PhD, is Associate Professor of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta where she teaches courses in Indian and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and narrative traditions.
Executive Committee
Khenpo Choying Dorjee is assisted in this role by Sonam Jamtsho.
Jing Rui develops and executes 84000’s strategic vision, managing programs, operations and finances.
Ivy Ang has over thirty years of extensive experience in international business and organizational development.
Andreas Doctor has been involved in translating and editing for 84000 since its earliest days and currently serves as Editorial Director.
Jeff Wallman has 20-plus years of experience leading cultural heritage organizations with a keen focus on strategic technology planning and implementation.
Ken works with the content strategy team and relevant external consultants to drive audience research, host focus group discussions, develop a content strategy framework, and roadmap the rebranding process for the organization.
Translation Team
Andreas Doctor has been involved in translating and editing for 84000 since its earliest days and currently serves as Editorial Director.
John Canti was a founding member of 84000’s executive committee and editorial team and is now senior editor.
Ryan carefully reviews translations against the source texts to confirm their accuracy and clarity.
Dave feels gratitude for the chance to contribute his expertise in Buddhist literature to 84000.
George endeavours to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the 84000 translations.
Torsten ensures the accuracy of translations and is passionate about his editorial work at 84000.
Rory checks translations against their source languages (Tibetan, Chinese, and Sanskrit).
Bob translates and edits texts on the monastic life for monastics, scholars, and the reading public.
Nathaniel is passionate about the Dharma and ensuring fidelity to the sources of our translations.
Laura edits the translations and maintains 84000’s guidelines for translators and editors.
2024 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholar
Line is responsible for the practical, day-to-day operations of the Translation team.
Lowell produces the initial translations of the sūtras, tantras, and other texts in the Kangyur.
Catherine Dalton has worked as an oral interpreter and textual translator of Tibetan Buddhist teachings since the early 2000s.
Dylan specializes in translating texts from the Old Tantras section of the Kangyur.
Bruno is dedicated to achieving both accuracy and fluidity in his translations.
Paul produces English translations of primary canonical texts.
Annie translates monastic legal texts for 84000, with a special interest in stories about nuns.
Adam C. Krug began working with 84000 in 2017 as a translator and editor with Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Dharmachakra Translation Committee.
Ana Cristina focuses on the translation and study of sūtras, particularly the Buddhāvataṃsakasūtra.
Wiesiek likes to explore Sanskrit roots of the texts and is passionate about translating tantra.
Sophie translates sūtras and tantras from the Kangyur.
Dawn's role for 84000 is to copyedit the English translations to the best of her ability.
Konchog ensures that the translations adhere to 84000 editorial and style conventions.
Technology Team
Jeff Wallman has 20-plus years of experience leading cultural heritage organizations with a keen focus on strategic technology planning and implementation.
Grant is a software engineer who has dedicated his career to building tools for creative people.
Aman brings his expertise in AI to translate and preserve the words of the Buddha.
Rafael Ortet has dedicated more than two decades to produce Buddhist publications for print and digital media channels, directing large collections of scripture in several languages.
Celso helps manage 84000's digital publication workflow and generation of translation memories.
Martina works as a Digital Editor for publication ensuring quality, consistency and authenticity.
Sameer completed his Bachlor's degree in Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal.
Junior Graphic Designer eager to learn and grow through creating impactful designs at 84000.
Ruby Ostrow completed her bachelor’s degree at Bard College, where she majored in Computer Science and Classical Studies.
Matt supports research, AI, machine translation and other computational linguistic efforts at 84000.
Communications Team
Ken works with the content strategy team and relevant external consultants to drive audience research, host focus group discussions, develop a content strategy framework, and roadmap the rebranding process for the organization.
Carol edits our bi-weekly newsletter, develops and writes stories, and reviews our public-facing communications. Through her efforts, she hopes to increase awareness of 84000's story and important work throughout the world.
Ushnisha connects people with our content by organizing engaging programs and activities.
Siyu manages 84000’s social media, helping connect a global audience and grow the online community.
Devlen oversees the translation of 84000 material into Chinese, manages the largely volunteer Chinese translations team, and is responsible for the maintenance of all our Chinese-language communications channels.
Jain Feng is based in Taiwan, and reviews 84000's Chinese communications.
Joie Chen, a PhD candidate in Buddhist Studies at Harvard University, is a volunteer with the Communications Team who often serves as host of our webinar series 84000 in Conversation and Teachings on Sūtra.
Wang Lang manages our WeChat account, and provides guidance for our Chinese communications.
Zhang Yanjun translates the summaries of 84000's new publications for our Chinese communications.
Development Team
Jing Rui develops and executes 84000’s strategic vision, managing programs, operations and finances.
Amy oversees the financial health of 84000, leading the team in donations, expenses, and reporting
Andrea manages development efforts, focusing on building donor relationships and securing sustainable funding for 84000.
Cabie supports major donors cultivations & journey, promotional ideas, public facing initiatives.
Finance Team
Responsible for financial resources and operations, including accurate and timely reporting.
Amy oversees the financial health of 84000, leading the team in donations, expenses, and reporting
Wu Lin handles our accounts, including bookkeeping, issuing payments, and preparing donation receipts.
Pei Shan assists with the bookkeeping of the organisation's donations and expenses.
Isabel Pedrosa has been responsible for the investments of Chagdud Gonpa Brasil for more than twenty years. She has been a long time student of DJKR and the chair of Khyentse Foundation’s Investment Committee since 2004.
Finance / Donations Management Support
As part of the donation support team, Celia provides assistance to donors from all walks of life.
Ratna provides donation management support to 84000's Finance team.
Diana provides donation management support to 84000's Finance team.
Karen provides donation and info email account management support to 84000
Finance / Regional Volunteers
Dellay Phuntsho is an 84000 volunteer based in Bhutan.
Wang Lang manages our WeChat account, and provides guidance for our Chinese communications.
Andrea manages development efforts, focusing on building donor relationships and securing sustainable funding for 84000.
Awing assist Lizzy to ensure the correctness of all donation records.
Lizzy ensures the accuracy and clarity of all donation received.
Jain Feng is based in Taiwan, and reviews 84000's Chinese communications.
Legal Counsel
Alex Halpern has practiced law in Colorado since graduating from the University of Denver College of Law in 1976. He has had a wide-ranging career assisting clients throughout the State and the country.
Alumni
Dr. James D. Gentry served as 84000 editor from 2015-2019. Dr. Gentry is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University. He specializes in Tibetan Buddhism, with particular focus on the literature and history of its Tantric traditions.
Dr. Steven Goodman, a scholar and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism for nearly 30 years, was founding member of the working committee of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha. He passed away in 2020 leaving behind a legacy of humor, deep knowledge, and dedication to his students.
E. Gene Smith, founder of the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center (now Buddhist Digital Resource Center), dedicated his life to preserving Tibetan literary culture, studying extensively with Tibetan masters and contributing significantly to the preservation of Tibetan texts world-wide.
Tom J.F. Tillemans served as 84000 Editor-in-Chief from 2011-2019. Tillemans is Professor Emeritus of Buddhist Studies in the Faculty of Oriental Languages and Civilizations at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. With a focus on Buddhist logic and epistemology, Madhyamaka philosophy, and comparative philosophy, he was from 1998–2006 co-editor of the Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies.