The UMA Institute for Tibetan Studies was founded in Charlottesville, Virginia (USA) to support long-term translation of texts and oral teachings from Tibetan Buddhist traditions; conduct seminars, classes, and retreats on focal topics of Tibetan Buddhism and instruction in the literary and colloquial aspects of the Tibetan language; and maintain and develop multimedia sites and archives as research and instructional resources accessible across the web.

UMA stands for “Union of the Modern and the Ancient” and also means “Middle Way” in Tibetan. Founded by Jeffrey Hopkins, renowned scholar and human-rights activist, the UMA Institute is unique in that most of our translators have worked together for decades. More importantly, all share a consistent vocabulary and produce translations in a uniform style.

We offer free translations of Tibetan expositions

1700+ hours of audio materials

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

75+ books in
PDF format

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

200+ hours of video materials

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

We have collected very interesting biographies of our commentators. Click here to visit our biographies of Tibetan commentators.

There is also a collection of materials for learning Tibetan… Visit our Tibetan language section.

We offer free translations of Tibetan expositions

75+ books in
PDF format

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

1700+ hours of audio materials

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

200+ hours of video materials

The Translation Project focuses on Tibetan expositions of Four Great Indian Books, together with a related theme of the Mind of Clear Light. The Four Great Indian books are essential Buddhist texts that form the basis of philosophical study and contemplation in Tibetan Monastic Colleges. 

We have collected very interesting biographies of our commentators. Click here to visit our biographies of Tibetan commentators.

There is also a collection of materials for learning Tibetan… Visit our Tibetan language section.

Our need for donations

Please help the UMA Institute Great Books Translation Project by donating whatever you can through PayPal or by credit card.

All donations advance our goal to present to the world, completely free, English and Chinese translations of these contemplative works of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist philosophical, psychological, and practice literature.

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