The following excerpt is taken from a blog post by Dhivan, a Pali Scholar and Chair of Trustees of Windhorse Publications. You can find the whole article on our website.

The last three volumes of Sangharakshita’s Complete Works are being dispatched to subscribers worldwide – marking the culmination of a monumental publishing journey. Over 27 volumes, averaging 750 pages each, this project encompasses an extraordinary 20,000 pages and 10 million words. It stands as the most ambitious project undertaken by Windhorse Publications in its 50-year history.

The vision for the Complete Works began over a decade ago. As a trustee of Windhorse for 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this vision transform into reality. Over the years, three or four elegant, grey-bound volumes were published annually, bringing to light Sangharakshita’s extensive written legacy.

On November 9th, we gathered at Adhisthana retreat centre to celebrate this remarkable achievement. The event featured speeches, reminiscences, thanks, and a ritual dedication of merits at Sangharakshita’s burial mound. It was a moving recognition of the scale of what had been accomplished, the dedication of those involved, and the profound value of these publications.

Why a Complete Works? While such projects often emerge posthumously, this one began during Sangharakshita’s lifetime. He had the opportunity to see the first eight volumes before his passing in 2018. This endeavor was, above all, an act of respect and devotion to the founder and teacher of the Triratna Order and movement. Sangharakshita himself contributed to key decisions about the collection’s content, and newly edited materials, including seminars and lectures, were refined in consultation with him in the project’s early years.

These Complete Works are not merely a scholarly edition but a creative act. They encapsulate Sangharakshita’s voice and vision, presented in handsome, grey-covered volumes. They invite us into a vast ‘cathedral’ of teachings – a treasure trove for future study.

The scope of these works is awe-inspiring. For instance, volumes 9 and 10 delve into Sangharakshita’s India writings, shedding light on Dr Ambedkar’s Dhamma Revolution and Sangharakshita’s role in supporting Buddhist converts in India. These writings emphasize going for refuge and Buddhist ethics, offering clarity that differs from his works aimed at Western audiences.

Volumes such as 25 showcase his poetry and short stories, reflecting his lifelong engagement with creative writing. With these volumes, Sangharakshita’s diverse contributions – from memoirs and poetry to translations and traditional commentaries – can be appreciated as a cohesive whole.

The crowning achievement of this project is the final volume: a concordance created by Vidyadevi, the editor-in-chief. This carefully ordered guide to the Complete Works bridges the details of this vast body of work, offering a roadmap to its interconnected insights as described by Vidyadevi in the video below.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Vidyadevi, Windhorse Publications, and everyone who contributed to this monumental endeavor. May the Complete Works inspire and illuminate for generations to come.

Visit our website to learn more about the various purchasing options for individual titles or curated collections of the Complete Works. Or you can get the whole set of 27 volumes delivered to your doorstep.