1. Introduction
2. Short Memoir of the Late Khenpo Migmar Tsering
3. Project Realization

Introduction
The Gyana Project aims to translate the Teachings of the five Founding Masters of the Sakya Lineage into English. The project was given name by His Holiness Sakya Trizin, and was first conceived of by the late Khenpo Migmar Tsering who was the then Abbot and Principal of the Sakya College. It was a dream project for him about which talked often to his colleagues and friends. Regrettably he was denied the opportunity to make this come true, since his knowledge of Dharma and the capacity for this work would have made him perfectly suited for the task. His sudden illness and tragic demise was a great loss not only for his students and the Sakya Tradition, but also to the entire Dharma community. During Khenpo's final days, His Eminence Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, promised his teacher that he would work to fulfill his teacher's dream.

Short Memoir of Late Khenpo Migmar Tsering
Venerable Khenpo Migmar Tsering was abbot and principal of the prestigious Sakya College, the premier institution for higher studies in Buddhist Philosophy for Sakya students, for a decade (1989-1999) Western Tibet born Khenpo Migmar escaped to India in 1959 at the age of four and completed his elementary studies in Southern India. He then studied at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath and in 1972 became one of the first students at Sakya College when it was founded. For the next ten years, he studied under the most Venerable Khenpo Appey Rinpoche. His teacher described him as one of his most intelligent and learned students when he graduated and soon became one of the shining stars of Sakya School.

He received most of the major Tantric empowerments and initiations from His Holiness Sakya Trizin, His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche. He is one of the few Tibetan Khenpos who teaches directly in English, and most importantly his teachings were both accessible and relevant to western audience and thus were greatly appreciated during his teaching tours abroad.

Prior to his appointment as the abbot of Sakya College, he worked in Translation Bureau of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, H.P. India and has also taught for a number of years at the Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath, India.

During his term as abbot at the college, he tutored many senior graduates of Sakya College including the two sons of His Holiness and many other Sakya incarnate lamas.

The Project Realization
The project has the blessings of all the great Sakya masters of our time and is to be undertaken at IBA (International Buddhist Academy) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The scholars working on this project will reside at the institute's complex and will be adequately provided. The IBA founder most venerable Khenpo Appey Rinpoche who also found and headed the Sakya College has already extended his blessing, appreciation and support to the project.

Learned scholars who would be recruited on basis of their merit and knowledge will undertake the translation. A panel of experienced translators who would check and edit the translated work will supervise them. Throughout the process, renowned scholars and masters of the Sakya School will carefully monitor the project, so that the translation of the master's work is accurate and authentic.

Project Cost
The project, which is to begin, very soon is expected to take up to seven years. The expected cost of the project is about ten million Indian rupees or US $300,000 approximately. Although the stipulated expenditure of this project is quite high, the project work itself will begin as soon as the initial amount for the basic amenities and requirements are met. All the contributors will be notified on an ongoing basis of the progress of the project and will be provided detailed information about the works of Sakyapa Masters.

Project Funds
The funds for the project will be raised through donations from dharma followers and friends. We highly appreciate any and all forms of human, financial and material support. All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged and sincerely appreciated.

NOTE from the webmaster: If you would like to contribute to the Gyana Project, please email me for contact information.