84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, a global nonprofit initiative founded by the renowned Bhutanese lama, author, and filmmaker Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, has announced the launch of the Give Each Month (GEM) Mandala—a new community for supporters of its long-term undertaking to translate the entire Tibetan Buddhist canon and make it freely available to all.

“84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha is creating a new community . . . to celebrate recurring donors and recognize the importance of this giving stream in supporting our mission: to translate the entire Tibetan Buddhist canon for the open and curious, and to make it freely accessible for all, now and into the future,” 84000 said in an announcement shared with BDG.

84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha is a long-term undertaking to translate and publish all surviving canonical texts preserved in the Classical Tibetan language—70,000 pages of the Kangyur (the translated words of the Buddha) in 25 years and 161,800 pages of the Tengyur (the translated commentaries on the Buddha’s teachings by the great Indian Buddhist masters and scholars) in 100 years. According to 84000, less than 5 per cent of the canon had hitherto been translated into a modern language, and due to a rapid decline in the knowledge of Classical Tibetan and in the number of qualified scholars, the world is in danger of losing an irreplaceable cultural and spiritual wisdom legacy.

“Just as all drops together create the ocean, every recurring donation creates our GEM Mandala and contributes to translating the Buddha’s words to awaken humanity,” said 84000 executive director Huang Jing Rui. “Our GEM program is also the most impactful way to give to 84000. Our generous Anathapindada Matching Fund donors will match every GEM contribution, dollar for dollar, so your gift is doubled at no extra cost to you.”

84000 noted that the GEM Mandala was already comprised of thousands of supporters from more than 46 countries who were committed to helping to share the Buddhadharma for the benefit of all beings. 

“Our mandala of GEMs has already helped us to translate and make available in English more than 34,000 pages of the collection—many for the first time in history,” Jing Rui remarked. 

Since its inception in 2010,* 84000—named for the number of teachings the historical Buddha is said to have given—has awarded in excess of US$6 million in grants to teams of translators around the world, including Tibetan scholars and Western academics. In just 14 years, with the endorsement of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, 84000 continues to strive forward, supported by some of the most learned living teachers of the Vajrayana tradition.

Emphasizing the benefits of the new program, 84000 highlighted that the names of all GEM members would be included in prayers at the biennial Dzongsar Monlam in Bodh Gaya, India, that members would receive emails with specially curated content, and would have the option to share merit by dedicating their initial monthly gift in someone else’s name.

It is through “hearing,” which means teaching, which means reading, which means translating—it is through these that the door of Dharma will be opened. — Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Born in Bhutan in 1961, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is the son of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and was a close student of the Nyingma master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–91). He is recognized as the third incarnation of the 19th century Tibetan terton Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), founder of the Khyentse lineage, and the immediate incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959).

In addition to Siddhartha’s Intent, Rinpoche’s projects include: Khyentse Foundation, established in 2001 to promote the Buddha’s teaching and support all traditions of Buddhist study and practice; 84000, a non-profit global initiative to translate the words of the Buddha and make them available to all; Lotus Outreach, which directs a range of projects to ensure the education, health, and safety of vulnerable women and children in the developing world; and Lhomon Society, which promotes sustainable development in Bhutan through education.

* 84000 Launches Video Campaign to Mark 10 Years of Preserving the Tibetan Buddhist Canon (BDG) and 84000 Announces that 25 Per Cent of the Tibetan Kangyur Is Now Freely Available in English (BDG)

See more

84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha
Give Each Month (84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha)

Related news reports from BDG

Khyentse Foundation Announces Appointment of Dr. Jörg Heimbel as Professor of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Buddha Smiles: Lotus Outreach Marks 12 Years of Partnership to Educate Vulnerable Children in Tamil Nadu
Khyentse Norbu’s Pig at the Crossing Set for virtual premiere on 11 May
Online Dharma: Khyentse Foundation Announces the Launch of Revamped Website
Less Meat More Love! Khyentse Foundation Announces New Book for Children