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Wisdom at Your Fingertips: Ancient Buddhist Texts In Searchable DVD Format

The Asian Classics Input Project on March 10th 2007 released its sixth edition of its free, searchable database of ancient Buddhist texts compiled from libraries, monasteries and private collections in India, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia and Tibet. The ACIP release VI marks 20 years of effort by the ACIP to find, preserve and distribute the classic literature of Buddhism.

"These priceless texts are the embodiment of philosophical works the likes of Plato and Shakespeare," ACIP founding director Geshe Michael Roach says. "These rare texts outline concrete methods to transform our lives beyond our imagination. These ancient sages knew the secrets to ultimate happiness that have been nearly lost in our modern busy lives."

The 450,000 pages in this release form the core of Buddhist wisdom and teachings compiled and refined by the Buddha's followers since they were first recorded more than 2,000 years ago. Before they were digitized and transliterated by Tibetan women and monks employed by ACIP, many of the works were in danger of being lost forever.

The mission of ACIP is to find, archive and distribute the remaining Tibetan and Sanskrit texts still in existence. The texts hold the philosophical, cultural, and religious heritage of endangered Eastern cultures. "This is a monumental effort, combining modern technology and ancient wisdom," says ACIP director John Brady. "These texts capture the original words of the Buddha as well as commentaries by the great scholars and adepts within the evolution of Buddhism in India and Tibet. Many are rotting in dusty libraries and by digitizing them, we're not only preserving but making them available at a time when the world sorely needs this wisdom."

In addition to the actual words of the Buddha, many of the texts are commentaries by Buddhist masters on the Buddha's teachings. Some of the teachings were first recorded on palm leaf and wood block prints on paper. Wars, invasions, and time have claimed many of them. ACIP has recovered these crumbling texts by working closely with associates in monasteries, private collections, and libraries in India, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, and Russia.

Where once the texts were only available to Tibetan Buddhist Monks, ACIP's distribution via the Web has made the information available to scholars and students of Asian-studies worldwide. The searchable DVD allows researchers to find in just minutes the same information that once required monks countless hours of haphazard searching of deteriorating books housed in remote libraries. It is being distributed for free in an effort to help people live better lives.

"We started this project 20 years ago," says ACIP founding director Geshe Michael Roach. "So far we have digitally preserved nearly half a million pages of text. There are still countless more to find, but with enough support, these teachings can be preserved forever- and for everyone."

By preserving these texts and their ideas, The Asian Classics Input Project ensures they remain accessible to the world at large. While preserving the great Buddhist literature of Tibet, ACIP also supports Tibetan refugees in India who perform the initial digitization. The preservation efforts directly improve the lives of scores of Tibetan refugees including monks at Sera Mey Monastery. At its input centers in Mongolia, India and Russia, ACIP works with local institutions and other preservationists and cultural ministries to find, copy and digitally input the Roman transliteration. The effort provides local employment while saving this unique culture. Once preserved, the texts are then translated into English, helping people better understand the remarkable insights offered by the Eastern traditions.