Our History
In March 2009, more than fifty leading Tibetan Buddhist teachers, translators, and scholars gathered to discuss the 230,000 pages of the Tibetan Buddhist canon. Over five days, they found that up to 95 percent of it still existed only in classical Tibetan, restricting access for global academic inquiry and limiting the ability of millions of curious individuals from engaging directly with the words of the Buddha.
Impact of the
2009 Conference
The resolutions established during the March 2009 translation conference remain as guiding principles of 84000. We continually strive to fulfill, cultivate, and expand upon the inspiring commitments to translate the Tibetan Buddhist canon for exploration by all.
This historic conference was organized by Khyentse Foundation and held at Deer Park Institute, India. Khyentse Foundation continued to nurture 84000, and in 2013, 84000 matured to independence as its own nonprofit (US 501c3) entity.
Conference Gallery
View highlights from the historic conference “Translating the Words of the Buddha” (2009) that spawned the idea, collaboration, and support for what eventually became 84000.
84000 History at a Glance
Fresh from the 2009 conference, and with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche nominated as Founding Chair, a small working group turned their full attention to bringing the Buddha's words to life for millions around the world.
2009 | Conference
The historic conference "Translating the Words of the Buddha" was convened by Khyentse Foundation. Consequently, a small working group was established to implement the resolutions and commitments of the conference.
2013 | Charitable Organization Formed
In 2013, after being nurtured for three years as a project of Khyentse Foundation, 84000 was registered as an independent charitable initiative.
2016 | Release of the first Reading Room
Building on years of research and planning, our online Reading Room marked a significant step in how readers around the world could access newly translated texts from the collection known as the words of the Buddha.
2024 | Translation Milestone
As of 2024, more than
40 percent of the Kangyur collection has been translated into English and published in our online collection. The online Reading Room is available now as The 84000 Collection.
2025 | Expanded Mission
Upon the fifteenth anniversary of the founding of 84000, we will expand our mission to authentically and relevantly translate the Buddha's words, bringing them to life to awaken humanity.