Snow Lion Publications

ABOUT SNOW LION PUBLICATIONS

"I have consistently run into the name Snow Lion in my research on Tibetan Buddhism and have come to greatly appreciate the fantastic library of texts that your company continues to amass for all of us in the West who do not have access or ability to read the myriad of Tibetan and Sanskrit works which embody the teachings and ideals of such a wonderful culture."—a customer from Hampshire College

More than thirty years of dedication to the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism.

When Snow Lion was established in 1980, its founders could hardly have guessed it would become the world's largest press dedicated to publishing a full range of Tibetan Buddhist books. Inspired by meetings with the Dalai Lama, the founders took a leap of faith and began publishing books.

In one of the early meetings with the Dalai Lama, His Holiness gave the founders his very clear vision of how he viewed Snow Lion's mission: Publish core texts and books from all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Although the early years were a financial struggle, Sidney Piburn and Jeff Cox have done their best to keep the Dalai Lama's directive front and center. They have published translations from all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism as well as academic and popular titles. Monastic textbooks from the various traditions have been an area of focus.

Snow Lion has now published several hundred titles on Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism (printing close to two million copies) and distributing over 650 titles published by other presses. Read more about us by visiting Snow Lion's Story, and also read a Mandala Magazine article about Snow Lion's early founding days with the Dalai Lama: Twenty-Five Years of Kindness, Clarity & Insight.

Prayer banners over entrance to main office building and store

Snow Lion distributes hundreds of Dharma products related to Tibetan religious practice and culture, including video and audio media of teachings by Tibetan lamas, thangkas and other wall hangings, statues of buddhas, ritual items, prayer beads, T-shirts, meditation cushions, prayer flags, posters, and postcards.

Dharma items on display in our store

Snow Lion has published a major Library of Tibetan Buddhism and Culture covering topics such as Tibetan Buddhism, art and photography, biographies, cookbooks, travel and adventure, language, health, meditation, history and politics, women's studies, death and dying, Buddhism and science, and children's books-- the breadth and depth of Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

Snow Lion has been particularly committed to publishing works by the Dalai Lama such as Kindness, Clarity, and Insight (1984), which has sold over 70,000 copies. It also published an introduction to the Dalai Lama's life through The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness (1990), which has sold over 70,000 copies. Its quarterly publication, Snow Lion: The Buddhist Magazine and Catalog, is filled with articles as well as news, new book and product information as well as advertisements for teachings, meditation retreats and appeals for aid by a number of Tibetan organizations.

When you choose to purchase books and other products from Snow Lion directly, you support all of our activities: publishing new books on Tibetan Buddhism and culture, keeping our older books in print, the publication of our free Snow Lion: The Buddhist Magazine & Catalog, and our extensive on-line services. We exist to help the Dharma, Tibet, and Tibetans, and we greatly appreciate your business.

Entrance to editorial offices

Snow Lion has published a major Library of Tibetan Buddhism and Culture, which includes topics such as Tibetan Buddhism, art and photography, biographies, cookbooks, travel and adventure, language, health, meditation, history and politics, women's studies, death and dying, Buddhism and science, and children's books. This library represents the breadth and depth of Tibetan Buddhism and culture and offers bookstores a comprehensive source for major works in all areas.

Recognizing the success of the Snow Lion, other publishers, both academic (such as SUNY and the University of California Press) and commercial (such as HarperColins and Riverside) have increased their titles in Tibetan Buddhism. Still, Snow Lion Publications continues to remain at the forefront, during the past twenty-five years, in the movement to increase recognition and appreciation of all things Tibetan.

What scholars and other publications have said about Snow Lion:

Richard Seager says in Buddhism in America (Columbia University Press): "The premiere English-language publisher of scholarly and trade books about Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism is Snow Lion Publications."

Professor Jeffrey Hopkins of the University of Virginia said in a newspaper interview: "Snow Lion is seminal—they are crucial in the development of the field of Tibetan studies and to furthering the public's interest in Tibet. By making texts of various levels of difficulty available to the public in English, Snow Lion is the pioneer house in this field."

The results of a survey of Buddhists published by Professor Charles Prebish of Pennsylvania State University ranked Snow Lion Publications first among commercial publishers of books on Buddhism.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Oneworld Publications) refers to Snow Lion

Donald S. Lopez, professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan, said "the current renaissance in the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism around the world is due in large part to Snow Lion's vision."

The Tsadra Foundation Series
The Tsadra Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization. The Foundation was established in order to support the activities of advanced Western students of Tibetan Buddhism as Buddhism takes root in the Western world. The Foundation takes its inspiration from the nineteenth-century non-sectarian Tibetan scholar and meditation master, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, and is named after his hermitage in eastern Tibet, Tsadra Rinchen Drak. The Foundation's programs reflect his values of excellence in both scholarship and contemplative practice, and the recognition of their mutual complementarity. Tsadra Foundation is delighted to ally with Snow Lion Publications in making these important texts available in the English language.

Historical background on our logo.

The name "Snow Lion Publications"originates from a mystical animal that has great significance in Tibetan culture as the national symbol of Tibet. Two lively snow lions appear on the Tibetan National Flag. They are fearless and valiant, and indicate the complete victory over all obstacles. They represent the strong vitality of the Tibetan people who revere the Three Precious Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.

Tibetan flag and wood carving at entrance to main office and store

In other artistic works and renderings, the lions appear supporting the thrones of various deities and symbolize the strength and fearlessness of those who have perfect wisdom and compassion. As for the Snow Lion Publications logo, the snow lion represents our dedication to supporting Tibetan Buddhism and Culture as it moves to the West—the lion's roar proclaims the dharma.

Snow Lion books are available to retailers through our distributors.

For Authors.
Snow Lion exclusively publishes books related to Tibetan Buddhism and Culture. If you are an author and would like to submit a manuscript to Snow Lion related to these areas, email sidneypiburn@snowlionpub.com with your name and telephone number. We will contact you with more information.

We have many books yet to be published. View our Forthcoming Books List for more information and updates as we add to our publishing schedule!