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If we are to believe later traditions, and there is in my opinion no reason not to do so, the first Tibetan historiographic writings date from Tibet's imperial period (seventh-ninth centuries), which coincided with her relations with the Nepalese, Indians, Arabs, Turks, Uighurs, 'A zha and, above all, Tang China. Only a fragment of this literary corpus, falling into two broad classes, has survived.
The Popol Vuh is a Colonial period K'iche' Mayan text that is considered to be the bible of Mayan civilization. It was transscribed by the Dominican priest Francisco Ximénez in or near 1701. It chronicles the creation of humankind, the actions of the gods, the origin and history of the K’iche’ people, and the chronology of their kings to 1550. Although written during the period of Chistianization, it is considered by scholars to be an invaluable source of knowledge about Preclassic and Classic period Mayan mythology and culture. The text itself appears to be based on an earlier but now lost version, written in K’iche’ by a Mayan author (or authors) sometime between 1554 and 1558....
In the following essays, Dreyfus provides us with a wonderful introduction to the Tibetan monastic educational system, discussing such topics as memorization, commentary, the educational curriculum, the theory and practice of debate, the schedule of monastic educational institutions, and finally the different geshé degrees awarded.1 Dreyfus’s years of experience as a scholastic monk in the Geluk tradition make his account detailed and accurate. At the same time, his first-hand familiarity with the tradition shines through in every section. His work is especially valuable in dispelling many of the myths surrounding life in Tibet’s great monastic academies.
SHANTI Texts is a published repository of texts that can be used for a variety of content types, from remediated primary sources to long-form scholarly blog posts to be shared via social media. It is designed to allow you create content on-site or to upload long texts.
An overview of three ways in which Bhutanese can pacify non-human spirits through ritual actions.
Through this exercise participants experientially investigate stress responses due to the ubiquity of smartphones in their environments.
A practice to cultivate deeper awareness and attentiveness to a single sense, such as sound.
Taken from url: http://places.kmaps.virginia.edu/descriptions/1306.xml
A summary of the forms and functions of protection cords worn to protect an individual from human and non-human obstacles.
With arms straight overhead, students extend one leg behind them while bending forward until their chests are parallel to the floor.
Sur is the offering of smell. In the Buddhist worldview, there are many kinds of sentient beings. Some of them survive by eating solid food, some by consuming smell and some merely through touch or psychological nutrition through the force of the mind.
This piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called "Why we do what we do".
An overview of the roles and utility of Tha Damtshik, which refers to integrity.
Taken from url: http://places.kmaps.virginia.edu/descriptions/1268.xml
A summary of Bhutan's textile arts, from the raw materials, tools used in weaving, to the main patterns associated with different parts of the country.
A summation of the eight auspicious substances of Buddhism, each of which is associated with an event in the life of the Buddha Śākyamuni.
The functions and structures of miniature shrines known as Tashi Gomang, and their status in modern Bhutan.