The 18 Tantras of the Mind Section

Whenever there is talk about the early transmission of Buddhism in Tibet the Eighteen Tantras of the Mind Section are sure to be mentioned. The eighteen are the five early translations of Vairochana (sNga ‘gyur lnga) and the thirteen latter translations of Vimalamitra, all done during the Eighth Century of our era. My current translation project is to translate an edition of the Eighteen Tantras of the Mind Section that was compiled by the minor cleric from Nyewa, Nyima Dorje, who lived in the Twelfth Century. This edition is preserved for us in several sources. For my translation I will use the witness found in the mTshams brag manuscript of the Hundred Thousand Tantras of the Ancients.  It may also be that Nyima Dorje’s edition is the oldest intact set of the Eighteen Tantras still in existence, but this has yet to be verified. The text is 228 pages in the Tibetan, and will result in a published book that is between 400 and 500 pages in length in the English.

Your contribution is a direct support of my ability to take the time and space to see that this is done. Your gift translates into the rent and food needed to see the translation through. I have been translating full time for many years now. I believe the best use of my time is to produce these translations of the ancient Tantras, as I have spent my lifetime learning how to do this. Your support makes it possible.  Any amount you can send is needed and appreciated.  I will send gifts to people who contribute the following amounts:

Maha:  For those who contribute $108, I will send a copy of the book upon completion.

Anu:  For those who contribute $500, I will mention you in the Acknowledgements and send you a book.

Ati:  For those who contribute $1008, I will mention you in the Acknowledgements and send you three personally signed copies of the book.

Thank you.