Translation and transmission:
Textual support has always been considered essential in the transmission of the Buddha’s insight from one culture to another. Buddhist translators have worked hard to convey the knowledge and wisdom contained in the scriptures to new audiences, thus preparing the ground for the future generations’ realisations.
It is our aim to follow in their footsteps.
The Sakya Tradition
Over the course of many centuries, Buddhism flourished in Tibet giving rise to distinct lineages of transmission, each of which are renowned for their particular approach in terms of study and practice. One of the present four schools is the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, renowned for following the teachings of the four great translators: Bari Lotsawa, Drogmi Lotsawa, Rinchen Sangpo and Mal Lotsawa. In term of indigenous scholarship, some of the greatest luminaries of Tibet come from this school. They include such illustrious names as Sakya Pandita (1182-1251) – one of the founding figures of the Sakya school and a master of all fields of traditional Indian scholarship; Rendawa Shönnu Lodrö (1349-1412) – one of the principal teachers of Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school; Rongtön Sheja Kunrig (1367-1449) – of one of the most influential masters in the history of Tibetan scholarship and author of important commentaries on the works of Maitreya; and Gorampa Sönam Senge (1429-1489) – a master of both sūtra and tantra, whose writings have become the reference for later generations of Sakya scholars.
Inspired by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche’s vision, it is our wish to make some of the most important works of these authors available in translation.
For a complete list of the texts we plan to translate please download this pdf.
Khenchen Appey Rinpoche (1926-2010) was widely respected as one of the most eminent teachers in the Sakya tradition of our time. Belonging to the generation of masters who received their full training in Tibet, Appey Rinpoche was instrumental in the transmission of this knowledge to the new generation of teachers. He was the founder of the Sakya College in India and of the International Buddhist Academy in Nepal, and initiated the digitization of hundreds of volumes of the Sakya tradition.
The Chödung Karmo (“White Dharma Conch”) Translation Group was founded in 2010 at the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal, to help fulfill Khenchen Appey Rinpoche’s vision for the preservation and transmission of the Buddhadharma. In addition to the classical texts selected for translation by Rinpoche himself we have included some of Rinpoche’s own teachings, and well as other material to fulfill the needs of present day students.
Message from HH the Sakya Trizin for the Chödung Karmo Translation Group:
The International Buddhist Academy (IBA) in Kathmandu, Nepal, was founded by my tutor, Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, who was not only very learned but also a highly realized master. He founded the academy to benefit everyone who is interested in learning and practicing the Dharma, the source of all the benefits and happiness in the universe.
Many very precious teachings originally written in Sanskrit by great masters in India and Nepal were translated into Tibetan by very gifted translators. It is now very important to translate these treatises and their commentaries into other languages, especially major world languages such as English, so that as many people as possible will have the opportunity to study and comprehend these very profound teachings. The whole course of their lives may be changed through these teachings, and they may enable to achieve the peace and happiness that everyone longs for.
My teacher Khenchen Appey Rinpoche chose the texts to be translated from among the profound scriptures that are currently used in colleges of higher studies by monks and nuns engaged in advanced philosophical studies. He realized that translating these texts into other languages would greatly benefit international students of the Dharma.
So I urge all the translators, sponsors and others involved in the translation work to be diligent in this task, because through this work they can earn enormous amounts of merit, and because the Dharma is so precious. It is the best gift that one could make, as it is through the Dharma that one can achieve temporal and eternal benefit and happiness.
By benefiting just one sentient being, one can earn an enormous amount of merit. By translating the teachings, innumerable beings can be benefited. Therefore, the merit earned from such activities has no limit. So clearly this is extremely important work. I wish everyone success in this project.
(Edited transcript from the video recorded by Lama Rinchen Gyaltsen in Lumbini, November 2010.)
Chödung Karmo Translation Group 