‘DAKINI ORATIONS’: LAUNCH OF NEW VIDEO CHANNEL WITH INTRODUCTION TO THE VISION, PHILOSOPHY AND MOTIVATION OF DAKINI TRANSLATIONS

Today, for the full moon, am happy to announce the launch of a new Youtube channel connected to Dakini Translations, after requests from people for interviews and verbal teachings. I have first created an Introduction to the website, where I speak about my role model, philosophy, motivation and vision relating to Dharma translation.   I don’t promise to make lots of videos but may occasionally upload some short verbal introductions to topics, or things I have written about.

Apologies for the poor quality of the video, I did it myself on my laptop webcam, there are English sub-titles available for those whose first language is not English. I have also published the transcript for those who prefer to read, rather than listen.

In the Video Introduction here, I give a personal thanks to supporters of the website and an introduction to the personal philosophy and motivation as to why Dakini Translations was created in 2019:

PHILOSOPHY AND VISION

-Role model, Marpa the Translator

-The importance of motivation, personal connection, experience and empowerments with the texts

REASONS FOR CREATING THE WEBSITE

-The corporatisation of Dharma translations, publications or ‘Dharma Translations Inc.’

-The male domination of dharma translations and publications and academia

-The sexism and double standards towards female scholars and translators, particularly so-called ‘difficult’ women who have written about challenging topics

-Wanting to make interesting and precious academic research available to a wider, non-academic, audience

-Wanting to provide Dharma texts and translations for free but also to an academic standard

-The difference between Career/job translators vs passionate/amateur translators

-Providing an example and inspiration to other female scholars, translators and practitioners facing obstacles or lack of support

-What makes a translation website/project successful

For more on the issue of the blocking, ignoring and overlooking of  ‘difficult’ women in Buddhism, see my previous article on that here.

Music? Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill, Unstoppable  by Sia, Sisters are Doing it for Themselves by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin , Bad Reputation by Joan Jett ‘I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation.’ 

Also launching my new haircut and colour, which like samsara and mental obscurations is  temporary ha ha ha ha