Speech to the Translation Conference in Bir
(Click on the Video link in the blue navigation bar on top, to watch the original speech in Tibetan language)
A translation of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s message to the Khyentse Foundation Translation Conference - Translating the Words of the Buddha, March, 2009.
Incomparable protector of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings, Kyabje Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, as well as Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Jigmey Khyentse Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Doobum Rinpoche, and the other incarnated lamas among you; precious khenpos, who possess the wealth of the three trainings and are masters of explaining by means of scripture and reasoning; translators, who have arrived from every direction out of deep trust in and pure appreciation for the Buddha’s teachings (in the past such Dharma translators were known as “the Bilinguals,” but these days there are many translators who are fluent in four or even eight languages…), as well as everyone else who has come to participate in this most significant event - I send you my warmest greetings and very best wishes. Tashi delek.
Full of joy, I can tell you that I consider this conference, which is held to serve the Buddhadharma and sentient beings, to be extremely important. I have already offered a brief letter in English to the participants, but since Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche has phoned me and asked that I also speak a few words I am happy to comply.
First, as I now reflect on the letter I sent, I feel that I was somewhat presumptuous. Yet nevertheless, we have arrived at a point in time that is of critical importance.
In the past, Indian scholars, Tibetan translators, as well as kings, ministers, and citizens of Tibet at large, all joined their noble efforts in a tremendous project that has blessed our world in general, and the snowy land of Tibet in particular, with the presence of the great Kangyur. Translated from Sanskrit, as well as other languages, into Tibetan, this collection of our gracious Buddha’s words consists of more than one hundred large volumes. Similarly, the Tengyur, the compilation of translated classical, treatises, explaining the intent of the Buddhas teachings, fill more than two hundred volumes.
Not only do these translated teachings still exist, they were translated without distortion, with precise attention to detail, so as to ensure the highest possible quality. They merit full comparison with the originals. That these texts exist in this world is thanks to the Dharma kings, the panditas, the translators and the common people of that time. Their kindness is acutely on my mind.
At the occasion of this conference, I reflect on what our most important task may be. I believe that for Buddhists in general, and especially for Tibetan Buddhists, our primary focus should be the Dharma spoken by our compassionate teacher, and this then again takes us to the Kangyur. I do believe we all share this understanding and there is therefore no need for me to elaborate on this - no more than there is for holding up a lamp in broad daylight, as the Tibetan saying goes.
We see these days a growing interest in the Buddhadharma in all parts of the world. And the source of the Buddhist teachings, everywhere, remains the words spoken directly by Lord Buddha. These words were recorded and preserved in several languages, such as Chinese, Sanskrit, and Pali. Yet as a general observation, we may notice that the most extensive compilation is in Tibetan. This body of teaching covers the general vehicles, the paramita vehicle, but especially includes the vajra vehicle of Secret Mantra, consisting of the great sections of tantra. Not only was this great body of scripture translated in consistently high quality, it is a fact that the lineages of empowerment, reading transmission, and explanation, together with the pith instructions, are still alive and being passed on. In the past there have been an untold number of accomplished and learned masters, and such masters are indeed still with us in the world today.
I mentioned that we live in a time that is of critical importance, because when I think of the many great masters that fled Tibet I cannot help but notice how many of them are no longer among us. Imagine how it would be if Khunu Lama was still alive! Or Deshung Rinpoche, Bomta Khen Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro! Likewise, how would it be if our lords of refuge Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche were still among us! Or Kyabje Tri Rinpoche who recently passed on. These and many other masters, both learned and realized, are no longer physically present. When thinking of this I feel a deep loss and sadness. It is for these reasons that I strongly feel we must commence the task of translating the great Kangyur as soon as possible. Primarily into English, but into the other languages as well. This is of utmost importance. I believe that all of you at this conference share this wish.
To our great fortune, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is now with us and below him we have the throne holding masters of the four major schools. We have authentic masters, intimately familiar with all the important topics in both sutra and tantra. They can resolve our questions. They can advise. It is therefore important to translate as soon as possible.
For the translation task, we must first make a solid plan and agree on it. In this we should also consider issues such as the paper and ink to be used, as well as the page layout and book design. Please understand that our task is to translate the wealth we share in common and so there is no need to think in terms of “them” and “us”. We should all make an effort since we all work to assist the teachings and sentient beings—and there is no greater way to serve than with this translation work. Let us all fill our hearts with courage and dedication to our task. Let us see whether we can follow in the footsteps of the masters of old.
Foremost are you, the Rinpoches, the translators from around the globe, and the benefactors who assist you. Many of you are assembled here at this conference. I believe that you have already shared ideas, discussion, and advice, and that you have arrived at a certain level of success. This fills me with tremendous joy and I rejoice from the core of my heart. Now, we should not procrastinate for months and years. Let us begin, and let us carry through so that we can complete the planning and reach an agreement as soon as possible. Then we can bring news of the outcome to H.H. the Dalai Lama and the main throne holders of the four schools, and request them to give further advice.
Here in Nepal, we have a translation committee and even though we are just a small group of junior people we will contribute to translating the Kangyur with a sincere and genuine motivation. We are happy to participate in translating the Words of the Buddha, and we will give this work high priority. I know that we are all already involved in various projects. We, for example are in the process of translating the 13 Major Treatises, as well as a number of other texts. However, while continuing with these projects on the side, we now shift our focus to the Kangyur, the Great Translated Words of the Conqueror.
We should also consider how we may want to divide up the various parts of the Kangyur. Some parts may be less demanding to translate, while the tantras may be more complex. Let us especially work together on the most difficult sections and consult the various masters who are still available. This will make the translations firm and dependable for future generations. I know this may sound a little too audacious, but I have a great wish to be able to work on translating some of the tantras.
Our translators presently go through quite the same curriculum as the monks in our shedra and they are doing their very best. Still, we must receive advice from all the masters of the various traditions. When it comes to accomplishing an important goal, we must, as the Tibetan saying goes, carry the banner in common. This banner that we are trying to lift is no small banner – it is gigantic, and to ensure success, everyone must contribute. Let us therefore seek each other’s advice, and allow everyone to reflect, so that we all can agree on one goal and a single strategy.
Let us all turn wholeheartedly towards the Three Jewels, so that this project will enjoy an auspicious beginning, middle and end. To ensure success, let us base ourselves on harmony, mutual cooperation, and the understanding that we share the same goal. The words of the Buddha, the classical Indian treatises, and the works composed by learned and realized masters of Tibet fill thousands of volumes. We Tibetans regard all of them as the heart in our chests, the eyes in our heads, as wish-fulfilling jewels. Yet the universal source all of them is found in the Buddha’s words.
Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche once told me that he was involved in the work of making a catalogue of the books in the Potala Library, as ordered by H.H. the 13th Dalai Lama. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche was in Lhasa at the same time as Ku-ngo Ta Lama. “There are thousands upon thousands of books,” he told me, “We worked for months on end, without ever seeming to get anywhere.” I believe these books are still there. Beyond the many texts written by Tibetan masters, there are the classical works of the masters of India, which are contained in the Tengyur. But the foundation for them all is the Kangyur, the Translated Words. As we all know, a perfectly valid text has to accord with the Buddha’s words, with the statements of the noble masters, with the findings of factual reason, and with our guru’s instructions. We speak of, and repeat, these three or four ways of validating as often as if they were the Mani mantra. So obviously, it is extremely important that we have access to the first of them, the Buddha’s Word.
Now, we need to discuss which parts of the Kangyur are the most important, and how then these sections should be translated. When it comes to the tantras, we should for example consider the importance of receiving empowerment, reading transmission and oral instructions. Likewise, for translating the Vinaya, we may want to discuss whether it is desirable that ordained sangha members produce those translations. In other words, I feel all of this requires a lot of advice, reflection and discussion.
I am neither personally capable nor daring enough to outline the best strategy. However, yesterday I received the phone call from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and also had a talk with Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and they asked me to add some spoken words to the letter I previously sent. They told me that nobody had taken offense at my admittedly rather overambitious letter, and that my message had in fact been well received. I am very happy to hear that. It is true that I am a simple person, and that it therefore is pretentious of me to speak of these things. But still, I feel strongly that unless we begin this most vital undertaking, it will be extremely difficult to accomplish it in the future. I feel sure about that. So please don’t delay for months and years! We need to agree on a plan as soon as we can. That’s what I wanted to say.
To everyone in the gathering, headed by you Rinpoches, I offer my tashi delek. May your lives be firm and may your activities expand, so that the Buddhadharma may shine like the sun. I pray that the Kangyur may be translated as the primary goal, and that in the future also the Tengyur will follow. We must likewise seek to translate the major works of the Tibetan masters of all the different traditions. For example, the works of the early Kadampa teachers. Khenchen Apey Rinpoche recently told me, “The Kadampa writings are perfectly connected with the major scriptures.” That is one reason to give them a high priority. Likewise, in terms of the Nyingma school, some people think of Longchen Rabjam as an outstanding siddha whose works are incredible, yet they wonder whether he wrote any commentaries to the classical treatises. Khunu Rinpoche told us, however, that Longchen Rabjam wrote commentaries to the great shastras on Madhyamika, Pramana, and Abhidharma. Some of them have in fact recently emerged in Tibet.
Let us pay attention not only to the teachings from the Tibetan masters of all lineages, without any partisanship, but also to the writings that exist in Pali, Sanskrit, and Chinese. We should translate original scriptures if they do not exist in Tibetan, for instance the bye brag bshad mdzod chen mo, which seems to have been omitted. H.H. the great 13th Dalai Lama gave this special attention and likewise does H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.
For you translators, you all know that the Kangyur is presently the Buddha’s primary representative; the representative of his body, speech and mind. It is this collection that should be our focus for listening, reflecting and practicing. As it is said, “Observing discipline, and having listened and reflected, one applies oneself fully to meditation”. So first, ethical conduct is important, which means that at least one needs to be a Buddhist layperson who has taken refuge in the Three Jewels. Second, is to listen to the Dharma. Third, is to gain certainty through reflection, and finally, one should assimilate the meaning through training. That is vital.
Now this simple person was forced to, and succeeded in, speaking many presumptuous words. Please be tolerant. Tashi Delek!
(Speaking in English)
Thank you very much all of you! I am very happy for what is going on over there and I wish I could be there. My love, my care and my respect is there with you Rinpoches, Khenpos and translators. We can do it! One thing we need is guts! We need to be together, in harmony, as one. One wish, one goal – we will do it, we will succeed. Take care! Bye bye!
Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang