After the successful completion of the pilot translation project of the Sekoddeśa under the patronage and supervision of “84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha,” the Vienna Buddhist Translation Group took on the task of translating the Rāṣṭrapālaparipṛcchāsūtra (“Discourse upon the Question by Rāṣṭrapāla”). The Mahāyāna version of the sūtra is one of the few texts in the Ratnakūṭa collection of which we still have the complete Sanskrit. Informed by critical comparison of the Indian original with the Tibetan, we will translate part of the sūtra as preserved in the Derge Kanjur (Toh. 62).

This is a rare chance for students to improve their Sanskrit and/or Tibetan reading proficiency. Participants are welcome to actively engage in our work and become acquainted with our translation techniques that largely profit from the philological rigor of Viennese Buddhist Studies. The workshop is also a good introduction into Mahāyāna Buddhism, as the sūtra covers all major aspects of the Bodhisattva path.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Sanskrit and/or Tibetan

Participation is free of charge.

There will be three sessions every day from 10 to 12 in the morning, and 1-3 and 4-6 in the afternoon.