The Eight Great Texts of the Kagyu Tradition

Nitartha is proud to announce the commencement of publication of the Eight Great Texts of the Kagyu Tradition, Tibetan-language texts in book format.

Examples of some traditional Tibetan texts ("pechas"), which use long rectangular unbound pages and are stored between hard covers and then wrapped in cloth.

As part of his vast activities in preserving the Kagyu educational tradition, His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa identified eight major texts as the focus for the Kagyu educational program. These texts are centerpieces of the distinctive Kagyu educational system, and the texts form the core curriculum for studies in the Kagyu shedra.

Nitartha international has restored all these texts by inputting them into digital format, and is now in the process of publishing these Tibetan-language books in India. Thanks to improvements in the publishing industry in India, we are happy to be able to use the highest quality paper and printing resources. By printing them in India, we are able to distribute them directly to the Tibetan educational institutions throughout Asia.

Nitartha is publishing these texts in traditional book format, rather than pecha format, so as to use modern printing capabilities to assist in preserving these precious resources. Nitartha's role in restoring these vital and important texts includes extensive checking of the digital version against the original, followed by high-level editing and annotation. Each text goes through myriad accuracy checks during the input process, and then is carefully edited numerous times by some of the greatest living Tibetan-language editors living today.

So far, we have completed the publication of The Chariot of the Siddhas of the Takpo Kagyu: an Extended Commentary on the Madhyamakavatara (Tak-gyu Druppay Shingta) by Mikyo Dorje, the Eighth Karmapa. This text is one of the greatest works on the rangtong view of sunyata (emptiness), and provides a uniquely Kagyu presentation of this important area of knowledge.

The Eight Great Treatises of Sutra and Tantra

Commentaries to the Five Great Treatises  of  the Sutrayana Tradition

1. (RG)¹   Chodrak Gyatso, the Seventh Karmapa,  The Ocean of the Tradition of Reasoning (Rikshung Gyatso) (Lhasa edition 1987) 1700+ pages
2. (TS)   Mikyo Dorje, the Eighth Karmapa, The Chariot of the Siddhas of the Takpo Kagyu: an Extended Commentary on the Madhyamakavatara (Tak-gyu Druppay Shingta) (Delhi edition 197_) 403 folios; 806 pages.
3. (JN)   Mikyo Dorje, the Eighth Karmapa, In Relief of the Noble One: an Extended Commentary on the Abhisamayalamkara (Jetsun Ngalso) (Delhi edition 197_) 565 folios, 1210 pages.
4. (DC)   Mikyo Dorje, the Eighth Karmapa, Bestowing the Fulfillment of Accomplishment and Happiness: a Commentary on the Abhidharma (Drupday Chijo) (Delhi edition 197_) 700+ folios.
5. (NK)   Mikyo Dorje, The Disk of the Sun: a Commentary to the Vinaya (Dultik Nyimay Kyilkhor) (Delhi edition 197_) 1180 folios; 2362 pages (§1: 525 folios; 1049 pages; §2: 673 pages; §3: 640 pages; §§2 & 3 together: 655 folios).

Commentaries to the Three Great Treatises of Tantrayana Tradition

1. (SN)   Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, The Lion's Roar of Irreversibility: a Commentary to the Ratnagotravibhanga (Chir Midokpa Senggay Ngaro) (Rumtek Woodblock ed. 197_)
2. (ZN)   Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Illuminating the Profound Meaning: a Commentary to The Profound Inner Meaning (Zabdon Nangjey) (Rumtek Woodblock ed. 197_)
3. (HV)   Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Elucidating the Secret of the Indestructible Vajra: A Commentary to the Hevajratantra (Zhomme Dorjei Sangwa Jepa) (Rumtek Woodblock ed. 197_)