The Yeshe De Project

Containers full of Tibatan sacred texts in India.Each time you purchase one of our books, take part in a Dharma Publishing study program, or volunteer some of your time, you support this work. All proceeds from the sale of our products go to printing more books and art.

You may find yourself thinking: “I wish I could do something more to help.” Well, you can!

A simple, direct way to show your support for text production work is to make a direct donation to Adopt a Book. You can sponsor a Tibetan publication, or the printing of one of our English titles. When you adopt a book, you not only help us meet our commitment, but you establish a relationship with the sacred texts.


Dedication of Merit

Handing out the texts at Bodhgaya, India.The Buddhist tradition teaches that participating in a positive cause produces benefits for those who take part. It is common to dedicate the merit to loved ones, living or deceased. Tibetans Carrying boxes of sacred books

It is said that, “Every time someone recites or reads a Dharma text, the benefit flows out not only to the reader and the immediate environment, but also to its sponsors and those who receive the merit.” Your positive intention mingles with the 2,500 year-old tradition of wisdom and compassion.

Adopt a Book sponsors are formally acknowledged at the annual World Peace Ceremony in Bodh Gaya, where their names are read aloud three times a day for the ten days of the ceremony.


How Does It Work?

You can adopt as many books as you want. You may feel inspired to organize a group to sponsor the production of a few books, or fund the print run for an entire volume (typically 5,000 – 8,000 books). Some of our friends have set up a fund-raising events for this purpose. Others have requested birthday donations to the Adopt a Book Program.

Representative Donations:

  • 50 books cost $225
  • 100 books cost $450
  • A library of 500 books costs $2,000
  • For English-language titles, production costs vary, but $6,000-$9,000 usually covers the costs of paper, ink, plates, printing, and binding.

Monks reading the texts.However you choose to offer your support, you can be sure that your contribution will go 100% to the preservation of Tibetan texts or to book production.

Dharma Publishing is an all-volunteer organization, and donations are always dedicated to the Dharma, not to support individuals. You are always welcome to visit our plant and offices at Ratna Ling, three hours north of San Francisco.

Please visit us the Adopt a Book website for more information and a list of books available for adoption, the Yeshe De website itself, or contact us directly.