Activities of the Gar Chöding Trust
The activities of the trust originated with the translation of Buddhist texts into English prose. That work evolved into secondary translations into languages other than English, consideration of ethics in translation and, eventually, into versified translations.
The verse works, in particular, widened the scope of activity, as they have provided a foundation on which Westerners can gain experience and understanding of traditional arts. Liturgical texts in English, combined with traditional melodies, bring to a wider audience real-time understanding and memorizability. This allows for the integration of chant, melody, instrumentation, mudrā, dance, shrine activities and meditation into a seamless whole.
Using the versified translations of the Drigung Mañjushrī Yamāntaka and Ratna Lingpa Vajrakīlaya texts as bases, we are supporting practitioners in their training in and understanding of Kagyü and Nyingma ritual arts. To this end, there is much work to be done in bringing translated material into publication, developing manuals detailing rituals, learning the music and rituals ourselves and in helping others to learn them.
The long-range intent behind these activities is for Garchen Rinpoché’s Western disciples eventually to own, gain confidence in and uphold—without need of outside reliance—the transmissions he has entrusted to us.
The verse works, in particular, widened the scope of activity, as they have provided a foundation on which Westerners can gain experience and understanding of traditional arts. Liturgical texts in English, combined with traditional melodies, bring to a wider audience real-time understanding and memorizability. This allows for the integration of chant, melody, instrumentation, mudrā, dance, shrine activities and meditation into a seamless whole.
Using the versified translations of the Drigung Mañjushrī Yamāntaka and Ratna Lingpa Vajrakīlaya texts as bases, we are supporting practitioners in their training in and understanding of Kagyü and Nyingma ritual arts. To this end, there is much work to be done in bringing translated material into publication, developing manuals detailing rituals, learning the music and rituals ourselves and in helping others to learn them.
The long-range intent behind these activities is for Garchen Rinpoché’s Western disciples eventually to own, gain confidence in and uphold—without need of outside reliance—the transmissions he has entrusted to us.