The global non-profit initiative 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha, founded by the renowned Bhutanese lama, author, and filmmaker Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, has announced that it is now accepting applications for its annual postdoctoral fellowship opportunities for eligible translators of Classical Tibetan.

The one-year fellowships run from 1 January 2022 and include a stipend of US$50,000. Applications must be submitted no later than 1 July and successful applicants will be notified by 1 August.

“In Buddhism, study and practice have always gone hand-in-hand and at 84000 we aim to bring that balanced tradition into the task of translating the Tibetan Buddhist Canon for future generations,” 84000 explained. “Over the last 10 years, many scholars around the world have contributed to the translations published by 84000. In order to provide greater opportunities for younger scholars to contribute to our 100-year project, we are pleased to invite applications for two one-year, full-time (portable) postdoctoral fellowships, for the purpose of translating one or more texts from the Tibetan Kangyur into English. The translation will subsequently be published online in the 84000 Reading Room.”

84000 is a long-term undertaking that aims 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) 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 the 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.

“Applicants must hold a PhD in Buddhist Studies or a closely related field, officially conferred by an accredited university between 1 January 2016 and 1 May 2021,” 84000 noted, adding that there are no application restrictions on citizenship, country of residence, or proposed work location.

Since its founding some 10 years ago,* 84000—named for the number of teachings the Buddha is said to have given—has awarded more than US$6 million in grants to teams of translators around the world, including Tibetan scholars and Western academics—from UCSB, Oxford, and the University of Vienna, to Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal. In just 10 years, with the endorsement of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, 84000 has already translated more than 30 per cent of the sutras, and continues to strive forward, supported by some of the most learned living teachers of the Vajrayana tradition.

“This marks a significant development in 84000’s progress, and we hope to be able to continually encourage the study of Tibetan Buddhism’s canonical texts,” 84000 added.

Click here for full details and guidelines for the application process.

Born in Bhutan in 1961 and now based in Himachal Pradesh, India, 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 Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, founder of the Khyentse lineage, and the immediate incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959). In addition to 84000, Rinpoche’s projects include Khyentse Foundation, established in 2001 to promote the Buddha’s teaching and support all traditions of Buddhist study and practice; Siddhartha’s Intent, which organizes, distributes, and archives his teachings; Lotus Outreach, which directs a wide range of projects to help refugees; and more recently The Lhomon Society, which promotes sustainable development in Bhutan through education.

* 84000 Launches Video Campaign to Mark 10 Years of Preserving the Tibetan Buddhist Canon (Buddhistdoor Global)

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