The translation of Tibetan Buddhist texts requires not only familiarity with the language but also a deep knowledge of the subject. The task involves extensive research, correction, clarification, style improvement and re-reading. Members of the Padmakara Translation Group must therefore work in close collaboration with Tibetan lamas, scholars and learned khenpos (monks with knowledge superior to a PhD equivalent in Buddhist philosophy). Such a process takes far too long for any idea of ‘profitability’ to be considered. The only way to ensure that the translators can carry out this work properly is by a system of external grants.

The only way to ensure that the translators can carry out this work properly is by a system of external grants. The translators work according to contract and are paid in instalments.

Sponsoring the translation of a specific text

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A large percentage of the funds generated from the sale of Padmakara books is dedicated to printing texts recently translated into Western languages or reprinting texts in their original Tibetan, particularly those that are most rare or treasured by our teachers. Furthermore, Padmakara must frequently reprint texts to maintain its stock. However, as Padmakara funds must be distributed to various preservation projects, the funds allotted from book sales are not sufficient to cover costly printing expenses. Therefore, Padmakara relies on the contribution of individual donors for supplementary support.

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Due to the communist occupation of Tibet and to the general deterioration in spiritual life, the true essence of Tibetan literature has been threatened with extinction. Materially, many books have survived the recent destruction, and it is our duty to preserve them all for the future. But the true meaning of all these works is in ever-greater danger of being lost. The texts that were rescued from the invasion are now the primary vessel by which the living wisdom tradition is preserved. Today, there is a continuous effort to recover, collect and refurbish texts that have survived the invasion.

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Looking to the future: Training a new generation of translators

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Over the last thirty years, numerous teachings have been recorded and now constitute an irreplaceable living transmission of the Buddhadharma. It has now become extremely urgent to convert analogue recordings on deteriorating magnetic media to digital form before they disappear without trace. A plan has been devised to help accomplish this enormous task. The plan consists of…

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The Centre d’Etudes de Chanteloube has had the immense privilege of receiving the greatest living teachers, not only of the Nyingma tradition but also of other lineages. They have given extensive teachings and transmissions on a great variety of texts and practices, all of which need to be made available and translated for all those wishing to study them and put them into practice. To be able to publish such practice texts in small print runs, Padmakara has evolved a system which, simple as it is, demands a great deal of time and work. It involves…

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Songtsen preserves one of the most extensive collections of Tibetan texts in the world – many of which are now the last remaining copies. It contains many unique books, some of which are more than ten centuries old. It has become an urgent priority to create a facility to properly store these texts, where they can be of service to scholars, translators and to the interested public. Providing access to texts that are now virtually unavailable, the facility will undoubtedly function as one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist research centers in the world. The library will also house ancient and original texts in a climate-controlled environment where texts will not be damaged by dust, dampness, or other deteriorating factors.

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One of the main goals for the Songtsen site, with its recent expansion, particularly in the Padmakara department, is to eventually provide an online database of Tibetan texts with the possibility of downloading texts and audio recordings. This project will require employing a technical expert and the purchase of computer storage hardware.

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