Oblivion has a way of hiding treasures—books, artifacts, and wisdom—in quiet, forgotten places. These ancient items sit cloaked in the cool dust of centuries, silently watching empires rise and fall, generations pass, and new systems replace the old.
But a person with a strong heart and a clear mind will always find what they are karmically meant to discover. And so, one day, the old latch is lifted. A heavy manuscript is touched by warm human hands. The dust of time—and forgetfulness—is gently wiped away. A book opens. And with it, the wisdom inside is released back into the world. It speaks of a happiness that is untouched by outer conditions—a happiness that you can reach.
What would you do with such a rare treasure? Would you keep it for yourself—or offer it to the whole world? This is not just a practical question, but a deeply karmic one.
Geshe Michael Roach teaches:
“If you have a regular meditation practice in the morning, you start to develop a special ability—the ability to take care of many people at once. You become a mother to many.”
And a mother always shares what is most precious with those she loves. She gives the best she has. This is why Geshe Michael made the decision to share these priceless teachings with the world. And from that motivation, the Asian Legacy Library (ALL) was born.
The work behind this project is vast, detailed, and done with great care. Many experts are involved, and every manuscript goes through several key steps: cataloging, scanning, and input.
Cataloging makes each manuscript searchable and accessible to anyone, anywhere. That means anyone in the world—no matter their background or location—can read and learn from these ancient teachings. That in itself is a miracle. These texts might have remained hidden, unknown to all living people. But now they are found, preserved, and brought back to life.
Scanning is done using specialized equipment, capturing each page with stunning clarity. Every detail is recorded. This is critical, because the next step—transcription and translation—relies entirely on the quality of the scanned image.
Input is the final and most delicate step. Teams of experts in Nepal and India transcribe each character by hand. Every symbol, every letter is treated with care. Accuracy is vital—so the meaning of the original text is never lost. Multiple layers of review ensure the highest precision.
This process takes time. Each word is entered manually, symbol by symbol, transforming a physical book into a digital treasure. Only then can the texts be translated into modern languages, making their timeless wisdom available to people today.
The Asian Legacy Library, founded by Geshe Michael, also holds a deeper mission: to preserve the cultural and spiritual traditions of Asia in their full beauty and authenticity. Not only for the benefit of people around the world—but also to help the people of modern Asia reconnect with and sustain their own rich heritage.
Image from official website – asianlegacylibrary.org
