About

Lotsawa House is a virtual library of translations from Tibetan.

The site began in 2004 with just a handful of texts in English, and has since grown into a vast repository containing more than 5000 texts in nine languages—the writings of approximately 325 authors on more than 200 topics.

Our aim is to support the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism by providing an abundant, openly accessible repository of texts from a range of authors—an ever-expanding library that reflects the richness of the tradition and invites exploration and discovery. We seek to provide this literature in multiple languages, to collaborate with other translators and groups, and to promote an ethos of non-sectarianism.

“Congratulations on the beautiful website. May it flourish and the number of translations grow vast.”

— E. Gene Smith, Founder of Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center (now BDRC)

Read more endorsements of the site >

Major Projects

Lotsawa House currently hosts four major projects:

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Sungbum Project

This project has the goal of translating the collected writings of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959). Phase one of the project, jointly supported by the Khyentse Foundation and Tertön Sogyal Trust, ran from 2019 to 2023. During this four-year period 500 English translations were completed—an unprecedented achievement for such an initiative. While the project is on pause before the second phase begins, the focus is on completing unpublished drafts and translating texts into other languages.

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Longchen Nyingtik Project

The aim of this project is to translate into English the core texts of the Longchen Nyingtik (klong chen snying thig), or Heart-Essence of the Vast Expanse—the cycle of treasure (terma) revealed by Jigme Lingpa (1729/30–1798) in Central Tibet in the eighteenth century. The project is endorsed by a number of lamas, including Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, and led by Han Kop. See the Project website.

Longchen Nyingtik Jigme Lingpa

Nyingtik Yabzhi Project

Funded by the Tsadra Foundation, this multi-year project aims to translate several key texts from the crucially important collection of Dzogchen material known as the Nyingtik Yabzhi (snying thig ya bzhi), or Fourfold Heart Essence – Vima Nyingtik, Lama Yangtik, Khandro Nyingtik, Khandro Yangtik and Zabmo Yangtik. The project began in September 2023 and its chief advisor is Alak Zenkar Rinpoche.

Vima Nyingtik Lama Yangtik Khandro Nyingtik Khandro Yangtik

Khenchen Ngawang Palzang's Counsels Project

Khenchen Ngawang Palzang’s (1879–1941) counsels are relatively straightforward, often confessional, and infused with a melancholy that he imparts to his students, urging them to turn away from saṃsāra. Translator Joseph McClellan is steadily working his way through these writings, which comprise the second volume of Ngawang Palzang's nine-volume Collected Works, with the help of Bhutanese editor Ninjyed N.T..

Khenchen Ngawang Palzang Advice

In addition, Lotsawa House has contributed translations to a number of other projects, including 84000, the Words of Jigme Phuntsok and Khyentse Vision Project.

Advisors

The vast majority of texts on the site were suggested for inclusion by Tibetan lamas and expert scholars, many of whom also kindly offered their help and advice in the translation process. This collaboration between translators and native experts is modelled upon the ancient partnerships of lotsāwas and paṇḍitas, which proved so effective when the Buddhist canon was first translated into Tibetan.

The senior Tibetan scholars (paṇḍitas) who have kindly advised and assisted us over the years include:

• The late Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche
• The late Khenpo Appey Rinpoche
• The late Tulku Thondup Rinpoche
• Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
• Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
• Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche

Other current advisors include:

• Prof. Jacob Dalton (University of California at Berkeley)
• Dr. Alexander Gardner (Treasury of Lives)
• Prof. David Germano (University of Virginia)
• Dolma Gunther (Khyentse Vision Project)
• Prof. Kurt Keutzer (University of California at Berkeley)
• Prof. Anne Klein (Rice University)
• Prof. Andrew Quintman (Wesleyan University)
• Dr. Michael Sheehy (University of Virginia)
• Jeff Watt (Himalayan Art Resources)

And our senior technical advisor:

• Dominik Schloesser (Digital Tibetan)

In addition, we regularly consult other lineage-holders, translators and long-term practitioners to seek their feedback and advice.

Team

Adam Pearcey

Founder-Director/Senior Editor

Adam Pearcey holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and a Master's degree from the University of Oxford. His publications include (as translator) His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Mind in Comfort and Ease (Wisdom Publications, 2007), Ga Rabjampa's To Dispel the Misery of the World (Wisdom Publications, 2012), and Beyond the Ordinary Mind: Dzogchen, Rimé, and the Path of Perfect Wisdom (Snow Lion Publications, 2018).

Roger Espel Llima

Technical Director

Roger Espel Llima was born in Barcelona, and studied mathematics and linguistics in Paris and Clermont-Ferrand in France. He studied Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy at the Rigpa Shedra East in Pharping, Nepal from 2007 to 2017. He has also translated a number of Dharma books into Spanish and Catalan.

Translators

For a full list of the more-than-a-hundred translators whose work is featured on the House, click here.

We also rely upon the efforts, technical expertise and generosity of many other people, especially our donors.

Contact

Contact us by email here

Or write to us at:

Lotsawa House
PO Box 304
Crowborough
East Sussex
TN6 9FS
ENGLAND

Lotsawa House is registered in the UK as a Community Interest Company (#14358325), a category of company which exists primarily to benefit a community or with a view to pursuing a social purpose, with all profits having to be used for this purpose.