This is a report introducing the BDK English Tripitaka project. In China, the translations of Buddhist texts were often carried out as a national project supported and funded by emperors and political leaders. This project, on the other hand, began as a dream and a commitment of one individual. In January 1982, Dr. Yehan Numata (1897–1994), the founder of Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai (Society for the Promotion of Buddhism or BDK), initiated the monumental task of translating the entire Taishō edition of the Chinese Tripitaka canon into English. Soon after Mr. Numata initiated this translation project, a special preparatory committee was organized in April 1982. After holding planning meetings on a monthly basis, the committee selected 139 texts to be translated in the First Series. These texts are comprised of 70 Indian works, 35 Chinese works and 34 Japanese works. As of today, the project has completed about 65 percent of the 7,185 Taishō pages of the works in the First Series, and continues to work with scholars to bring this stage to completion.
