Transforming Technologies and Buddhist Book Culture: The Introduction of Printing and Digital Text Reproduction in Tibetan Societies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Social Anthropology
Abstract
This project will explore the relationship between Buddhist culture and technological transformations by looking at 'the book' as artifact, medium for communication, symbol of political authority, and ritual object in the context of Tibetan Buddhism. By using a team from previous AHRC-funded projects (with members from Cambridge University, the British Library and Tibetan research institutions) it will ensure a firm knowledge base and good value for money. It will have world-wide multidisciplinary appeal for a broad range of academics and indigenous scholars engaged in the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage and for all scholars involved in the rapidly growing international field of the history of the book.
Tibetan book culture reflects Buddhist ideas that texts are relics and that their distribution is an act of merit. These ideas had a significant bearing on the invention of printing in 7th century China and on its later spread throughout East Asia and the Mongolian empire, including Tibet. Inspired by the notion that books are embodiments of the words of the Buddha, Tibetans treat them as persons worthy of respect who can bestow blessings and act on people. These ideas and attitudes led to the adoption of printing technologies in Tibet and the development of a unique and unrivalled culture of books reaching far beyond the Tibetan plateau.
The project will investigate two core issues: the introduction of block printing into Tibet, and the current use of digital technologies in the preservation of Tibetan collections. A preliminary survey of 15th-16th century Tibetan block prints showed that printing technologies promoted specialised craftsmanship and led to distinctive ways of mobilising people and resources. A Buddhist morality of the book propelled the development of networks of patronage involving rulers and members of lay and monastic communities, both within Tibet and beyond, in support of printing projects. Frequent political upheavals in the Tibetan areas resulted not in the destruction of Buddhist book culture, but in more sustained efforts to recover and preserve texts. Similarly after the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) networks of monks, nuns and lay scholars emerged to search for lost collections, re-order monastic archives and recover texts; an effort now being assisted by the adoption of digital technologies.
The project builds on two previous AHRC-funded projects: one brought to light some remarkable examples of early Tibetan printing kept in the UK (especially in the Younghusband Collection) and the other published the biography of a 15th century princess who played a seminal role in the introduction of printing in the Gungthang region of Tibet where ancient libraries are still in existence. A comprehensive survey of colophons of early prints, biographies and the living tradition in this region will provide the basis for a broader exploration of the introduction of printing technologies into Tibet with their social and cultural ramifications. In addition, the project will conduct an ethnographic investigation of the hitherto undocumented process of recovery and cataloguing of texts carried out by grass-root networks of monastic and lay scholars with the help of digital technologies.
This pioneering study of cultural practices surrounding Tibetan books and printing will illuminate unexplored aspects of Tibetan Buddhist culture while providing valuable materials for comparative studies of the book. It will produce a database, a website, several academic publications, a network of world-leading scholars, a dedicated conference, and exhibitions at the British Library and in Cambridge. It will therefore provide visibility for AHRC-funded research at the academic and the popular level. It will also promote the transfer of knowledge and skills to junior scholars in the UK and Tibet and will encourage dialogue and cooperation in politically sensitive areas.
Tibetan book culture reflects Buddhist ideas that texts are relics and that their distribution is an act of merit. These ideas had a significant bearing on the invention of printing in 7th century China and on its later spread throughout East Asia and the Mongolian empire, including Tibet. Inspired by the notion that books are embodiments of the words of the Buddha, Tibetans treat them as persons worthy of respect who can bestow blessings and act on people. These ideas and attitudes led to the adoption of printing technologies in Tibet and the development of a unique and unrivalled culture of books reaching far beyond the Tibetan plateau.
The project will investigate two core issues: the introduction of block printing into Tibet, and the current use of digital technologies in the preservation of Tibetan collections. A preliminary survey of 15th-16th century Tibetan block prints showed that printing technologies promoted specialised craftsmanship and led to distinctive ways of mobilising people and resources. A Buddhist morality of the book propelled the development of networks of patronage involving rulers and members of lay and monastic communities, both within Tibet and beyond, in support of printing projects. Frequent political upheavals in the Tibetan areas resulted not in the destruction of Buddhist book culture, but in more sustained efforts to recover and preserve texts. Similarly after the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) networks of monks, nuns and lay scholars emerged to search for lost collections, re-order monastic archives and recover texts; an effort now being assisted by the adoption of digital technologies.
The project builds on two previous AHRC-funded projects: one brought to light some remarkable examples of early Tibetan printing kept in the UK (especially in the Younghusband Collection) and the other published the biography of a 15th century princess who played a seminal role in the introduction of printing in the Gungthang region of Tibet where ancient libraries are still in existence. A comprehensive survey of colophons of early prints, biographies and the living tradition in this region will provide the basis for a broader exploration of the introduction of printing technologies into Tibet with their social and cultural ramifications. In addition, the project will conduct an ethnographic investigation of the hitherto undocumented process of recovery and cataloguing of texts carried out by grass-root networks of monastic and lay scholars with the help of digital technologies.
This pioneering study of cultural practices surrounding Tibetan books and printing will illuminate unexplored aspects of Tibetan Buddhist culture while providing valuable materials for comparative studies of the book. It will produce a database, a website, several academic publications, a network of world-leading scholars, a dedicated conference, and exhibitions at the British Library and in Cambridge. It will therefore provide visibility for AHRC-funded research at the academic and the popular level. It will also promote the transfer of knowledge and skills to junior scholars in the UK and Tibet and will encourage dialogue and cooperation in politically sensitive areas.
Publications
Diemberger, H.G.M
(2012)
Quand lelivre devient relique - les textes Les textes tibetains entre culture bouddhique et transformations tecnologiques
in Terrain
Diemberger, H.G.M.
(2012)
The Transformation of Rituals in Contemporary Tibet
Diemberger, H.G.M & S. Hugh-Jones
(2014)
Subversion, Conversion, Development: Public Interests in ICT
Diemberger, H
(2014)
Buddha's Word: The Life of Books in Tibet and Beyond
Diemberger, H.G.M
(2014)
Buddha's Word: The Life of Books in Tibet and Beyond
Diemberger H
(2014)
Patronage as Politics in South Asia
Diemberger H
(2016)
Tibetan Manuscript and Xylograph Traditions
Diemberger H
(2016)
Tibetan Printing: Comparison, Continuities, and Change
Diemberger H
(2016)
Tibetan Printing: Comparison, Continuities, and Change
Diemberger H
(2017)
The effects of sound on living things and the environment
in Terrain
Title | Buddha's Word: The life of books in Tibet and beyond |
Description | An exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge which explores the book as artefact and as a ritual object in the Buddhist context. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | The exhibition was very popular and inspired a series of outreach activities for both adults and children. |
URL | http://maa.cam.ac.uk/maa/buddhas-word-the-life-of-books-in-tibet-and-beyond/ |
Description | This project has been exploring the relationship between Buddhist culture and technological transformations by looking at 'the book' as artefact, medium for communication, symbol of political authority, and ritual object in the context of Tibetan Buddhism. In particular it has focused on two moments of technological innovation: the introduction of printing and the introduction of digital text reproduction. Relying on a team from previous AHRC-funded projects (with members from Cambridge University, the British Library and Tibetan research institutions) it has made a number of substantial discoveries, including the earliest extant print from Tibet dating to 1407. The team has already published a number of papers, organised two exhibitions and has published a collective volume resulting from the conference "Printing as Agent of Change in Tibet and beyond" http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/books/9789004316256 (Brill 2016) that was held at Pembroke College, Cambridge in November 2013. A volume on the use of digital media in Tibet is nearing completion. |
Exploitation Route | The project has had a world-wide multidisciplinary appeal for a broad range of academics and indigenous scholars engaged in the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage and for all scholars involved in the rapidly growing international field of the history of the book. Through a wide range of outreach activities, from exhibitions to workshops in schools, the project has promoted the visibility of Cambridge collections, research and international collaboration in a substantial way. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | http://www.ttbbc.socanth.cam.ac.uk/ |
Description | The research findings have been used by a range of both academic and non-academic communities (including local scholars and monasteries) and have contributed to a special exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. A series of talks and outreach activities have been held at the museum within the framework of this exhibition. In addition the project has been digitally repatriating discovered materials to Tibetan monastic and lay communities A website and database have made rare early Tibetan prints accessible and searchable. This project has also been used as a springboard for new applications for research funding. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship |
Amount | £188,355 (GBP) |
Funding ID | PIEF-GA-2012- 328247 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 04/2013 |
End | 04/2015 |
Description | NORGLOBAL |
Amount | kr 9,955,000 (NOK) |
Funding ID | ES595511 |
Organisation | Research Council of Norway |
Sector | Public |
Country | Norway |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2022 |
Title | Tibetan Book project database |
Description | This is an eXist database that provides access to 15th and 16th century prints from central Tibet which have been marked up with keywords, place names, peoples names and dates. It also provides access to biographies of masters involved in printing projects and local histories that have been marked up in the same way. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This database is a valuable research tool for the understanding of the process of the introduction of printing technology into Tibet. |
URL | http://www.ttbbc.socanth.cam.ac.uk/ |
Description | Repatriation of texts |
Organisation | Bodong Research Centre |
Country | India |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The named monasteries and others benefited from the project through the repatriation of textual materials, believed lost, in digital form. |
Collaborator Contribution | The monasteries provided access to additional texts and printing blocks |
Impact | Digitisation of Buddhist texts and creation of open access online database has led to contribution to knowledge community. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Repatriation of texts |
Organisation | Kathmandu University |
Country | Nepal |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The named monasteries and others benefited from the project through the repatriation of textual materials, believed lost, in digital form. |
Collaborator Contribution | The monasteries provided access to additional texts and printing blocks |
Impact | Digitisation of Buddhist texts and creation of open access online database has led to contribution to knowledge community. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Repatriation of texts |
Organisation | Samding Monastery |
Country | China |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The named monasteries and others benefited from the project through the repatriation of textual materials, believed lost, in digital form. |
Collaborator Contribution | The monasteries provided access to additional texts and printing blocks |
Impact | Digitisation of Buddhist texts and creation of open access online database has led to contribution to knowledge community. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Repatriation of texts |
Organisation | Trakar Taso Monastery |
Country | China |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | The named monasteries and others benefited from the project through the repatriation of textual materials, believed lost, in digital form. |
Collaborator Contribution | The monasteries provided access to additional texts and printing blocks |
Impact | Digitisation of Buddhist texts and creation of open access online database has led to contribution to knowledge community. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Childrens activities, printing workshop at Museum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A series of printing workshops were held arising from the project exhibition, Buddha's Word, and associated with the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology public outreach events.Workshops were held both in the museum and across the city at outdoor venues during the summer holidays. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Exploring Tibetan Culture - Traditiona Printing and Papermaking |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Pilot exhibition displaying tools and technologies for printing in Tibet with examples of work. This was a pilot for the larger exhibition held in 2014 at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Workshops in schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Printing workshop held in Meldreth Primary School and Melbourn Community College in 2011 Parkside sixth form college 2011, and Melbourn Primary School in 2012 Parkside community college 2013, and Melbourn Primary School in 2013 Parkside community college 2014 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014 |