Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche: Why the Buddha's Teachings Must Be Translated for Every Generation

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche discusses the importance of translating Buddhist scriptures into modern languages like English to ensure the Buddha's teachings remain accessible to all beings. He argues that since the Buddha originally taught in the native tongues of his listeners, modern students deserve the same direct access to these sacred words. Rinpoche addresses significant challenges in the translation process, particularly the need for linguistic mastery and standardized terminology among contemporary translators. He advocates returning to the traditional collaborative model where translators work closely with scholarly experts or panditas to ensure accuracy. While acknowledging the immense financial and logistical difficulties involved in such work, he maintains that preserving the authentic words of the Buddha is a vital global responsibility that justifies these efforts.