China to build Tibetology databases

[WisdomBeing]

As Buddhism is the core of Tibetan culture and history, this Tibetology database would record much of Tibetan Buddhist history and become a useful resource in the future. As the article says, since 2010, "several major research projects have been carried out, including studies on the Buddhist Canon, History of Tibet, history of Tibetan Buddhism and environment and landscape of the Tibetan Plateau."

It is good that China deems this preservation of Tibetan history as an important project, especially as China is historically well known to eradicate its own country's history and rewrite whatever is not politically expedient at that time.

China to build Tibetology databases
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-05/17/c_133341213.htm
English.news.cn   2014-05-17 16:26:34    
 
BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- China will attach greater importance to building research database for Tibetology, according to the fourth national Tibetology coordination meeting held in Beijing on Saturday.

China's Tibetology institutions will boost efforts in building databases of Tibetologists, surveys about their work, relevant policies and overseas Tibetology research updates, participants concluded at the meeting, which is held every four years.

Apart from database building, Tibetologists will also conduct systematic studies on Tibet's museum archives, inscriptions on Stone tablets, cultural relics, folk culture and Tibetan languages.

Since the last national meeting coordinating Tibetology research works was held in 2010, several major research projects have been carried out, including studies on the Buddhist Canon, History of Tibet, history of Tibetan Buddhism and environment and landscape of the Tibetan Plateau.

[icy]

When China undertakes this project of building Tibetology databases, I am not worried for the pure lineage of Dorje Shugden will not be rewritten like what has been attempted by the CTA recently in the book entitled “Opening The Eye Of Discernment” which is most ridiculous and outrageous act. 

http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/27-minute-speech/

[Big Uncle]

This is very much welcomed and good sign. The Chinese will inevitably identify itself with Tibetan Buddhism in the future. This would be very much something that China will 'export' to the world. Beyond the spheres of trade and cultural exchange, China's rich spiritual past will be a point to be admired in the world and something that China will stand to inspire millions. Hence, if Dorje Shugden is positioned well now, it will spread all over the world. Things are beginning to unravel now as time passes and perhaps, this was the real intention of the Shugden ban.

[Klein]

According to this article in CCTV.com (http://english.cntv.cn/program/cultureexpress/20131230/102079.shtml), "Since 2006, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Tibetology Research Center and the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region have joined hands to protect pattra-leaf scriptures." Projects like this are well funded by the Chinese Govt as China has a history of preserving their past which goes all the way to 5000 years. There are many benefits to preserving the history. One of which is for tourist dollars.

It will be very interesting to find out what the Chinese puts into their history book with regards to the practice of Dorje Shugden what CTA has to say next.

[Midakpa]

These studies will contribute to the preservation of Tibetan languages and culture. I consider it a good move on the part of the Chinese government. It is a political move that will make them look good in the eyes of the world. But politics aside, when Chinese researchers undertake such projects, they tend to be professional and thorough. On the whole, it will benefit the Tibetan people as the world will know more about them and their culture and religion when more and more studies are conducted.