We are delighted to share with you the joyful news that KIBI Publications has been commissioned and released its first book! Having been designed as a central unit of KIBS’s educational branch, the aim of KIBI Publications is ‘to increase the understanding of and engagement with Buddhism and meditation through a publishing programme that fosters enquiry, research, discussion, translation, participation and enjoyment of learning and public access’ [KIBS Annual Report 2012/13, p. 46]. With this in mind, this commentary on the King of Aspiration prayers of Samatabhadra entitled ‘phags pa bzang po spyod pa’i smon lam gyi rgyal po’i dgongs don gsal bar byed pa’i ‘grel ba nyin byed snang ba [The Illuminating Sun: A Commentary Elucidating the Meaning of the King of Aspiration Prayers, the Aspiration for Noble Excellent Conduct (Arya-bhadra-carya-pranidhana-raja)], composed by Prof. Sempa Dorje has been chosen as the initial volume of the KARMAPA SERIES.
A special thanks goes to Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, who kindly offered his generous support in sponsoring the print. We sincerely thank Prof. Sempa Dorje for continuously encouraging the setting up of KIBI Publications and offering his precious advice as well as the commentary for the inauguration volume. Further, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any form; in particular, we extend our deepest gratitude to Diwakar Publication (Kalimpong).
Now that the conditions for setting up the publication unit have come together, it is our intention to establish it as another foundational pillar of KIBI’s activities – supporting not only the institute, but by becoming a means to preserve and spread the Buddhist teachings far and wide. Thus, may the authentic Buddha Dharma flourish!
