# Terma Heritage Foundation

> A New York 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-5173191) devoted entirely to preserving Tibetan language and culture — building the fonts and writing tools that make Tibetan usable in the digital age, the songs and games that make children want the language, and the apprenticeships that pass on what cannot be digitized. Incorporated in 2026 to give a permanent home to more than a decade of work by its founder and a dedicated circle of volunteers, artists, and scholars.

Key facts:
- In the Tibetan tradition, a terma (གཏེར་མ) is a treasure concealed in a time of danger and revealed when the world is ready. The Foundation takes the word as its method: recover what is endangered, place it in an open and durable vault, and put it in the hands of the next generation.
- The Foundation concentrates on three commitments: (1) make reading and writing Tibetan beautiful and effortless, (2) make children want the language, (3) keep living lineages alive through apprenticeship.
- Everything released is free; open-source where applicable. Work predating 2026 was carried out by the founder and volunteers, and now continues under the Foundation.
- Honorary Patron: His Eminence the 7th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche.

## Programs

- [Programs overview](https://termafoundation.org/programs): the three commitments and all programs
- [TermaType](https://termafoundation.org/programs/termatype): the first viable open-source word processor built for Tibetan and English together — free, offline, Windows/macOS/Linux, 239,000-entry dictionary built in, GPL v3
- [Dranyen](https://termafoundation.org/programs/dranyen): free iPhone app to tune, play, and learn the Tibetan lute
- [Terma Studio](https://termafoundation.org/programs/terma-studio): 18 original Tibetan folk songs and 5 animated music videos for children — over one million YouTube views, adopted by Tibetan school programs in India and Nepal
- [Playground](https://termafoundation.org/lab): free games, galleries, and tools that put Tibetan into hours children choose for themselves
- [Apprenticeship](https://termafoundation.org/programs/apprenticeship): masters paired with young students (dranyen, calligraphy, thangka) — designed and ready, launching with first funding
- [Conserve Tibet](https://termafoundation.org/programs/conserve-tibet): 36 rare recordings (1953–2013) rescued from decaying tape, including the only known audio of Khunu Lama Rinpoche
- [Sacred Audio Restoration](https://termafoundation.org/programs/sacred-audio-restoration): 551 files / 371 hours of a master teacher's recordings restored

## About

- [About the Foundation](https://termafoundation.org/about): origin, the problem, and the 2056 vision
- [Impact](https://termafoundation.org/impact): outcomes and testimony
- [People](https://termafoundation.org/team): patron, advisors, and team
- [News](https://termafoundation.org/news): announcements and explainers
- [One Generation](https://termafoundation.org/one-generation): sourced explainer on China's 2026 "Ethnic Unity" law and the Tibetan language

## Contact

- [Contact](https://termafoundation.org/contact): info@termafoundation.org
- [Funding manifest](https://termafoundation.org/funding.json): machine-readable funding information (funding.json v1.1.0)

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