Our Work: Projects

Dear Friends of Light of Berotsana,

The Light of Berotsana Translation Group grew significantly in 2003, both in the work of translation and in the strengthening of our organization. The essential work of written translation has continued as the core of our mission, and Light of Berotsana's translation of selections from Jigme Lingpa's Heart Essence of the Great Expanse is presently at press. Additionally, in 2003 over 1500 people took part in programs where Lama Chönam, Sangye Khandro, or I served either as translators for accomplished lamas or as teachers sharing what we have learned.

In the spring of 2003, Lama Chönam and Sangye Khandro had the honor of serving as Khen Rinpoche Namdröl's translators for his presentation in Hawaii of Longchenpa's Dispelling Darkness in the Ten Directions, an eloquent and thorough commentary upon the Tantra on the Essence of the Secret (The Guhyagarbha Tantra), itself central to the Nyingma tradition's understanding of Vajrayana view, meditation, and conduct.

Khen Rinpoche Namdröl received these teachings from the cherished

master Jigme Puntsok, whose recent death is mourned by Buddhist practitioners worldwide. Over the next two years Khen Rinpoche Namdröl will present the remaining sections of Longchenpa's commentary in the US, and he has requested Light of Berotsana to continue to provide the oral translation for these seminars.

In the summer months, Sangye and Lama Chönam taught classes in Buddhist studies and Tibetan language at the shedra, or institute for intensive study of Buddhadharma, that Gyatrül Rinpoche has created at

Tashi Chöling in Oregon. They then traveled to Europe where they translated for teachings that Khen Rinpoche Namdröl gave to several groups including the Rigpa sangha lead by Sogyal Rinpoche. Oral translation for Gyatrül Rinpoche and other teachers continued in the fall months, along with teaching roles at various retreats held in the Bay Area and in Mexico. As a result of the teachings given by Khen Rinpoche Namdröl, the next several years will see Lama Chönam and Sangye Khandro giving the great majority of their time, energy, and knowledge to written translations of the Tantra on the Essence of the Secret and three of its most important commentaries: the revered work by Longchenpa mentioned previously;

Jamgön Mipham's Essence of Clear Light, which builds upon the foundation laid by Longchenpa while amplifying the essential meaning of the tantra; and the remarkable Key to the Treasury composed by Dodrup Tenbay Nyima, who approaches the basic tantra from an entirely different perspective.

Khen Rinpoche Namdröl has given extensive commentary upon both of the latter treatises during seminars conducted in India, Nepal, and Oregon for which Sangye Khandro provided the oral translation. Khen Rinpoche initiated a cycle of oral commentary upon Tenbay Nyima's treatise last summer in Europe, also translated by Light of Berotsana, which will resume in August of 2004. At Khen Rinpoche Namdröl's request, Light of Berotsana will publish translations of the tantra itself and each of the three treatises. In successive years, Light of Berotsana will also publish Khen Rinpoche Namdröl's commentary upon the treatises.

In 2003, I served as translator for Thrangu Rinpoche, Tülku Sang Ngak, Khen Rinpoche Tsültrim Gyatso, Karma Senge, and Namkha Trimay at various locations throughout the US.

Additionally, I taught Buddhist meditation and Tibetan language in Boulder and Baltimore. At present, I give the majority of my time to a series of twenty extraordinary lectures given by Khen Rinpoche Tsültrim Gyatso in 1991. Based on key sections of Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé's Treasury of Knowledge, this sequence of lectures illuminates topics central to understanding the ways in which Buddhist practitioners of many different traditions have described appearance, reality, truth, and the means for understanding their subtle nature and subtle interrelationships. Snow Lion Publications will publish this work toward the end of 2004 as A Course on View.

Some years ago, the esteemed scholar Khenpo Palden Sherap, originally from the renowned Riwoche Monastery in Tibet, lectured in Colorado for several months on two pithy treatises composed by Jamgön Mipham, The Lion's Roar Proclaiming Empty of Other and The Lion's Roar Extensively Proclaiming the Essence of the One Gone to Exaltation. Recently, Khenpo Palden Sherap requested that I translate and publish both of these elegant treatises as well as his penetrating commentary. That work will commence in the second half of 2004 and continue into the early part of 2005.

As many of you know, excellence in the work of translation comes only when a translator's diligence and endurance enjoys the support of the deep knowledge of learned Tibetan teachers, sincere practice, extensive reference materials, and great expanses of time in which to work without interruption. To support the work of the translators and ensure the longevity of the Light of Berotsana Translation Group, the Board of Directors mandated the hire of an Executive Director and a Director of Resource Development. We engaged Jessie Friedman as our Director in January of 2003; her leadership has enabled us to begin setting in place the sound structure that will support our growth in the years to come. Those strides lead to the good fortune of hiring Laurie M. Hawley as Director of Resource Development at the end of 2003. Their capable presence permits Sangye, Lama Chönam, and me to focus upon the work of translation itself while Jessie and Laurie attend to the administrative essentials and stable growth of the Light of Berotsana Translation Group.

As our work proceeds, the profound teachings of the Buddhadharma become available to English speaking students, the translators prepare accurate, digital versions of the English translations and the Tibetan texts, and teachings are preserved, thus ensuring that this literature of great wisdom will remain available to those who will come after us. It is your support that has made all of this possible. We offer our deepest appreciation for your generosity and for your interest in the Buddhadharma and the work of the Light of Berotsana Translation Group. Thank you.

May all beings be happy.

With best wishes to all,

Jules B. Levinson with Lama Chönam and Sangye Khandro on behalf of The Light of Berotsana Translation Group