The Oxford Pali Translation Project
An initiative of the Oxford Center for Buddhist Studies in collaboration with SuttaCentral
What has not been translated should be translated; what has been translated should be improved.
Our job is not finished
Since the 19th century, scholars have worked to translate important Pali texts into English. But several canonical texts and most of the commentaries are still untranslated. We aim to fill this gap.
Lift the field
The study of Buddhist texts is a difficult and vast field with few resources. Without accurate translations, it is hard for study to make progress.
Translate all remaining canonical texts
Certain texts of the Pali Tipiṭaka have not been translated into English. In other cases, the translations are unavailable, or in need of improvement.
Translate all the commentaries
Only a few of the ancient commentaries (aṭṭhakathā) have been translated. We aim to translate all the commentaries, which provide an essential link between the Buddha’s day and our own.
Improve understanding of Pali
The process of translation exposes innumerable questions and challenges, and dealing with these expands our knowledge of Pali.
Make available one of the world’s great spiritual literatures
The Pali commentaries, derived from Indian sources and developed in Sri Lanka, form one of the largest and most coherent bodies of spiritual exegisis from ancient times.