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Supported by the Trikāya Translation Committee
A Global Network of Scholars & Linguistic Specialists
✓ Over 17 Years of Professional Excellence in Tibetan Language Services:
Translation, Interpretation & Language Instruction
Trusted by Buddhist Communities Worldwide Since 2008
✓ Supported by the Trikāya Translation Committee:
Scholars, Translators & Linguistic Specialists
Expert Translation Committee Review
✓ Hundreds of Published Translations
Specializing in Classical Tibetan, Buddhist Texts & Academic Works
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Expert Tibetan-English textual translation.
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Top-quality Tibetan-English oral interpretation.
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Personalized classes in Tibetan language: Classical, Literary & Spoken.
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Serving Buddhist communities, Dharma practitioners, Tibetan organizations, academic institutions, and Tibetan language students worldwide.
ABOUT TLS:
TRIKĀYA LANGUAGE SOLUTIONS
Trikāya Language Solutions, SRL (LLC)
TIBETAN-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE SERVICES
Providing expert Tibetan language services with over 17 years of professional experience in translation, interpretation, and language instruction.
Expert translation services for Buddhist texts, academic works, and cultural materials from Tibetan to English.
OTHER LANGUAGES
Translation services for Sanskrit, Pāḷi, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi and other Asian languages.
Why Choose
Trikāya Language Solutions
Specialized Expertise in Tibetan Buddhist Translation
Unlike general translation services, we specialize in Tibetan language and literature, in particular Buddhist texts and teachings. Our translators have lived and studied in traditional Tibetan Buddhist communities in India and Nepal, bringing authentic cultural and linguistic understanding to every project.
Quality Assurance Through Expert Review
Every translation undergoes review by our Translation Committee—a network of scholars, translators, linguistic specialists, and spiritual teachers. This collaborative process ensures accuracy, readability, and faithfulness to the original meaning of classical and contemporary Tibetan texts.
Proven Track Record Since 2008
Over 17 years, we've completed hundreds of translation projects for Buddhist centers, monasteries, academic institutions, publishers, and individual practitioners worldwide. Our work spans liturgical texts, philosophical treatises, meditation manuals, contemporary Tibetan literature, and scholarly publications.
Comprehensive Language Services
Beyond translation, we offer professional interpretation services for teachings and conferences, expert Tibetan language instruction from experienced translators, and consultation on terminology, transliteration, and Buddhist textual traditions.
Global Reach, Personal Service
Based in Europe, we serve clients across all time zones. Whether you need a single page translated or a comprehensive multi-volume project, we provide personalized attention tailored to your specific requirements, timeline, and budget.
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Study Materials & Resources
Essential Tools for Studying Classical, Colloquial & Modern Literary Tibetan
Whether you're just beginning your Tibetan language journey or advancing your translation skills, these carefully selected resources will support your studies. All recommendations are based on 20+ years of experience using these materials in professional translation work and language instruction.
Recommended Study Path
For Complete Beginners:
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Start with Goldstein's English-Tibetan Dictionary for vocabulary building
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Use Monlam Dictionary app for daily practice
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Choose appropriate textbook based on your current goals (Classical vs. Colloquial)
For Intermediate Students:
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Transition to The New Tibetan-English Dictionary by Goldstein
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Reference the online Rangjung Yeshe Dharma Dictionary (Tsadra site) for Buddhist terms
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Work through Preston's How to Read Classical Tibetan series
For Advanced Students & Translators:
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Acquire print or online versions of The Great Tibetan-Chinese Dictionary (bod rgya tshig mdzod chen mo) and The Great White Conch Dictionary (dung dkar tshig mdzod chen mo)
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Regular consultation with the online Rangjung Yeshe Dharma Dictionary (Tsadra site)
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Build specialized reference library based on translation focus
Tibetan Dictionaries: Electronic
Monlam Tibetan-English Dictionary
Rating: 9/10 | Best for: Colloquial & Modern Literary Tibetan
Continually updated, the newest version is the Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary 2020. Available for download online. Probably the most comprehensive Tibetan dictionary for Colloquial and Modern Literary terms. One advantage is that it is being updated on a regular basis, with new vocabulary being added every year or two. Currently it contains over 207,000 Tibetan words and terms, but does not include as many Classical Tibetan and Buddhist terms.
Download Monlam Dictionary →
The Dharma Dictionary (Rangjung Yeshe Wiki)
Rating: 8/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
A website in Wiki format dedicated to Tibetan terminology, 2005-present. Originally a free public download of the Rangjung Yeshe Tibetan-English Dictionary of Buddhist Culture, maintained by the Tsadra Foundation. This is one of the most useful resources for Classical Tibetan terms and textual translation, as the unique definitions of several different translators are provided. The site contains over 182,000 entries. This is an important "go-to" website for both students and translators.
Access Rangjung Yeshe Dharma Dictionary →
Tibetan Dictionaries: Printed
The Great White Conch Dictionary (dung dkar tshig mdzod chen mo)
By Dungkar Lobsang Thrinlay, 2002
Rating: 10/10 | Best for: Classical & Modern Literary Tibetan
An encyclopedic Tibetan-Tibetan dictionary with special emphasis on Buddhist terminology, originally published in Beijing in two large volumes, coming to 2388 pages total. Reprinted and sold by Sherig Parkhang in Dharamsala and elsewhere in India and Nepal, and now available as an app.
Full title: Illuminating the Topics of Knowledge: The Great Lexicon of Tibetology Compiled by the Honorable Master Scholar, Dungkar Lobsang Thrinlay.
The New Tibetan-English Dictionary of Modern Tibetan
By Melvyn C. Goldstein, 2001
Rating: 9/10 | Best for: Colloquial & Modern Literary Tibetan
The largest Tibetan-English dictionary ever published. Goldstein is a true scholar, and his work is generally very accurate. This book will stand as one of the greatest feats of Tibetan language scholarship for decades to come. Its only notable downside is its unwieldy size. This was previously the best dictionary for Modern Literary and Colloquial Tibetan pre-2009 but has since been outshined in some ways by electronic resources like the Monlam Dictionary.
English-Tibetan Dictionary of Modern Tibetan
By Melvyn C. Goldstein, 1999
Rating: 10/10 | Best for: Colloquial & Modern Literary Tibetan
By far the most beneficial printed dictionary for Beginner and Intermediate Level students of Colloquial and Modern Literary Tibetan. Highly recommended. It can be hard to find a printed copy, but it's still published and sold by the Tibetan Library of Works and Archives in Dharamsala. Memorizing the entire book is advisable.
The Great Tibetan-Chinese Dictionary (bod rgya tshig mdzod chen mo)
By Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, 1993
Rating: 10/10 | Best for: Classical & Modern Literary Tibetan
A Tibetan-Chinese-Tibetan dictionary published in China, considered one of the main sources for scholars and translators in Tibetan studies. Contains the vast majority of important terms found in Tibetan texts as well as modern vocabulary, and is one of the most complete and functional Tibetan dictionaries available.
Tibetan-English Dictionary of Buddhist Terminology
By Tsepak Rigzin, 1986
Rating: 6/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
A catalogue of Buddhist terminology which includes Sanskrit equivalents. By no means comprehensive, it fails to live up to its title but is a noble effort with some interesting inclusions. Good for reading as a textbook.
The New Light English-Tibetan Dictionary
By T. G. Dongthog, 1973
Rating: 4/10 | Best for: Modern Literary Tibetan
Quite outdated but still remains a decent resource for general terms. The early attempts at rendering English words into Tibetan are sometimes inaccurate or artificial. Worth having a copy for occasional reference.
A Tibetan-English Dictionary, with Sanskrit Synonyms
By Sarat Chandra Das, 1902
Rating: 7/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan
The ultimate classic—the book that started it all. One of the most brilliant works of scholarship ever created, especially considering its time. This book was still considered vital for Tibetan study in the 2000s, well over a century after publication. Many quotations from rare Tibetan historical works are provided as sentence examples. However, this illustrious old dictionary has some predictable mistakes and is not wholly reliable as a modern research reference tool.
Classical Tibetan Textbooks
Learning Classical Tibetan: A Reader for Translating Buddhist Texts
By Paul Hackett, 2019
Rating: 7/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
Although some selections are too advanced for beginners, this book does a good job introducing classical Tibetan study in the traditional way, with ample grammatical analysis. The English translations leave much to be desired, and the verbose grammar descriptions can be overwhelming, but the overall organization and selected readings are excellent. Main weakness: poor English translations of sample exercises and aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced students of Classical Tibetan. Main strength: excellent text selections and in-depth explanations.
How to Read Classical Tibetan, Volume 1: Summary of the General Path
By Craig Preston, 2005
Rating: 9/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
A more advanced book for students who already have a good understanding of Classical Tibetan. Presumes previous study (1000+ hours), and is therefore more appropriate for Advanced Level students who can already read complex texts like the Lamrim Chenmo. Most useful for those translating philosophical works. Overall proves quite useful for A2 to B2 level students of Classical Tibetan.
How to Read Classical Tibetan, Volume 2: Buddhist Tenets
By Craig Preston, 2009
Rating: 9/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
The second volume in the series, similar in content to the first.
Translating Buddhism from Tibetan
By Joe Wilson, 1992
Rating: 6/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
Overly academic in orientation, but still a good introduction to Classical Tibetan grammar for Intermediate students. Ground-breaking at the time, it has lost some grandeur but still deserves attention. The first few sections are slow and off-putting for those without foundation in Tibetan. The second half is much more useful and better written. Not recommended for beginners.
The Classical Tibetan Language
By Stephen V. Beyer, 1992
Rating: 7/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan
A learned overview of the structure and features of Classical Tibetan. More of a general reference than a textbook, but provides detailed grammatical information.
A Primer for Classical Literary Tibetan: Volumes 1 & 2
By John Rockwell, 1991
Rating: 10/10 | Best for: Classical Tibetan & Buddhist Terms
Unfortunately, this book is out of print and generally hard to find, but PDFs are available online. One of the most conveniently arranged introductions to Classical Tibetan ever created, especially useful for beginners.
Questions about Study Materials?
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