June 3, 2017 – Tsadra Conferences https://conference.tsadra.org Buddhist Conferences Mon, 31 Oct 2022 04:01:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.11 Translation for the Sake of Self and Other https://conference.tsadra.org/session/translation-for-the-sake-of-self-and-other/ Mon, 09 Apr 2018 04:59:53 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14986 In the search of where the true text resides and how translations will be transmitted to students and practitioners in the future, Professor Cabezón notes the importance of the social, economic, and political contexts in which Buddhist text arose and the contemporary circumstances in which we find ourselves as it relates to study and practice of Buddhism in the West. Then with characteristic humor and levity, Professor Cabezón encourages translators to embrace the art of decision-making in the unique method of self-study that is translation. Thanks to Maitripa College, you can read a transcript of the speech here.

]]> Translations in Transmission https://conference.tsadra.org/session/translations-in-transmission/ Sun, 08 Apr 2018 04:40:58 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14982 In this panel a diverse group of experienced practitioner/scholar/translators discuss the idea of transmission and the use of translations in the transmission process. Sarah Harding discusses the many complications of language that have entered into our understanding of “transmission,” and suggests that we make clearer what we mean when we talk about transmission and limit ourselves to things we can actually talk about. Ringu Tulku presents the meaning of “transmission,” in the context of this conference, as being about the whole system of study and practice. He highlights the importance of khrid over and above dbang and lung. He says that translation itself is transmission and translators are transmitters and makes note of a quote he remembered reading: “*Translation at its best is like the other side of the brocade, all the thread, but no design*.” Yeshe Gyamtso (Peter O’Hearn) shared his feelings and eloquent thoughts on transmission and translation having been primarily an oral translator and shifting over to being focused on written translation. He makes important note of Wittgenstein’s idea about meaning coming from usefulness, and the importance of choosing terms that touch the heart of the reader. He says that what translators need is not only competence, but love: Love of the language(s), love of the meaning, and love of the reader. Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo presents a series of questions and some of the visual tools and teaching techniques that she uses when teaching to different kinds of students in schools around the world. She asks: What is the relevance of transmitting ancient Buddhist texts in our current age? How can we transmit the dharma in appealing and relevant, yet authentic and educational ways? What are our responsibilities as individuals and organizations in this transmission process? How can we be sure that authentic Buddhadharma will survive in the modern world?

]]> Special Address: The 2017 Shantarakshita Award https://conference.tsadra.org/session/special-address-2017-shantarakshita-award/ Sat, 07 Apr 2018 03:32:24 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14969 The inaugural Shantarakshita Award was presented by Eric Colombel and Marcus Perman of Tsadra Foundation and received by Bryan Cuevas (3rd) for The All-Pervading Melodious Drumbeat (Penguin Random House, 2015), Wulstan Fletcher and Helena Blankeleder (2nd) for Treasury of Precious Qualities: Book Two (Shambhala Publications, 2013), and Gavin Kilty (1st) for A Lamp to Illuminate the Five Stages (Library of Tibetan Classics, Wisdom Publications, 2013). As the first place winner of the inaugural award, Gavin Kilty addressed the assembly with heartfelt words of thanks to his teachers, employers, and editors (Thupten Jinpa and David Kittelstrom) and shared a bit about his his love of translation and of the great masters who influenced him.

The Shantarakshita Award

]]> Large Scale Projects: Multi-Volume, Multi-Source Language, Collaborative Projects https://conference.tsadra.org/session/large-scale-projects-multi-volume-multi-source-language-collaborative-projects/ Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:51:13 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14944 Large scale projects come with their own special challenges and this session with Robert Thurman, Editor-in-Chief of several major translation projects, including the Treasury of the Buddhist Sciences series, and James Gentry (filling in for John Canti of the Padmakara Translation Group) of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha project, addresses issues that arise when working on multi-volume, multi-source language, and collaborative projects. Tom Yarnall, a key editor and lead collaborator on the Treasury of the Buddhist Sciences series, facilitates the discussion.

]]> Translating and Teaching Buddhism in the Modern World https://conference.tsadra.org/session/translating-and-teaching-buddhism-in-the-modern-world/ Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:47:10 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14943 This special session follows from ongoing discussions among teachers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the west who are concerned with issues of transmission, teaching, and translating. This session will be a chance to explore some of these important questions with people from various organizations from around the world that have thought deeply about transmission and translation: What are the issues in teaching Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world? How do we balance integrity of tradition with the modern context? How does the availability of translations inform the process of transmission? When is it appropriate to use modern or secularized language to express Buddhist ideas? What kinds of priorities do we have for creating materials for teaching and learning about Tibetan Buddhism?

]]> Publishing Translations: A Q&A Session with Two Buddhist Publishers https://conference.tsadra.org/session/publishing-translations-a-qa-session-with-two-buddhist-publishers/ Tue, 03 Apr 2018 12:39:12 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14942 This session was a special opportunity to speak with the publishers and editors at Shambhala and Wisdom Publications and not only learn a bit more about their processes, but also to have the chance to ask questions about publishing translations.

]]> Editing for Practitioners: Presenting Liturgies, Commentaries, and Songs of Realization https://conference.tsadra.org/session/editing-for-practitioners-presenting-liturgies-commentaries-and-songs-of-realization/ Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:06:44 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14938 This open discussion session focuses on themes and issues related to editing translations of liturgies for use in practical environments and will be as interactive as possible. Some of the questions discussed included: how do we develop appropriately sensitive language meant for recitation, to invoke the power of Buddhist practice? What is different when editing texts for practitioners? How shall we handle multilingual editions? What kinds of supplementary materials are needed? What kinds of musical genres can be implemented in liturgies and rituals?

]]> Transmission and Translation: Priorities for the Next 20 Years https://conference.tsadra.org/session/discussion-session-2-5-transmission-and-translation-priorities-for-the-next-20-years/ Sun, 01 Apr 2018 09:47:52 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14937 This session was a chance for people to share ideas about priorities and projects for the future. What texts should be translated? What are the needs of the community? What do you see happening in the next 20 years?

]]> The Editorial Process Throughout Creation and Completion Stages https://conference.tsadra.org/session/the-editorial-process-throughout-creation-and-completion-stages/ Sat, 31 Mar 2018 04:37:38 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14981 In this final session of the 2017 Translation & Transmission Conference, editors from different publishers and projects discuss a number of useful ideas and tools (such as the all important Chicago Manual of Style) that translators who wish to publish their work should know about and pay attention to. Key themes presented in this session are: 1) Types of editors and “editing”; 2) Process/timing of editing; 3) The view of the editor/publisher and the importance of communicating that view to the translator; 4) Translating, editing, and publishing; 5) Editing as integral to translation and transmission.

]]> Conference 2017 Closing Session https://conference.tsadra.org/session/conference-2017-closing-session/ Fri, 30 Mar 2018 03:52:29 +0000 http://conference-wp.tsadra.org/?post_type=session&p=14970 “Love, Gratitude, Inspiration” – Anne Carolyn Klein describes the meeting of minds and provides a heartfelt closing to the 2017 Translation & Transmission Conference.

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