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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.
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This is an excerpt built using https://moby-dipsum.com/. Ignore the pdf file: it won't match!
A problematizing of the name "Mon" and its application to Bhutan, extracted from Karma Phuntsho's monograph, The History of Bhutan.
From a standing forward fold, students lift their chests until their backs are parallel to the floor and look forward.
Buddhist moenlams are mainly mental aspirations rather than just prayers or supplications to a powerful or superior being. When one does moenlam, one aspires, intends or wishes to do something, be someone or reach somewhere. So Buddhist moenlam involves having a strong and earnest wish.
This piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called "Why we do what we do".
Standing with feet hip-width apart and arms at their sides, students stretch taller while simultaneously pressing down through their feet.
A summary of the structure and symbolism of the Namchu Wangchen as described in the Kālachakra Tantra.
Part one of a three part series on the meaning, functions and origins of personal names in Bhutan.
Part two of a three part series on the meaning, functions and origins of personal names in Bhutan.
Part three of a three part series on the meaning, functions and origins of personal names in Bhutan, with a focus on titles and honorifics.
A discussion of namthar as a genre as well as the various types of biographical writings that one may encounter in Bhutan's textual corpus.
The role that inention plays in Buddhist practice, from a Bhutanese perspective.
The whole point of going on neykor is to expedite one’s spiritual journey through the physical journey along a powerful place. One’s internal transformation happens more swiftly and more powerfully through association with the power spots.
This piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called "Why we do what we do".
The significance of the annual Day of the Nine Evils from the Bhutanese cultural perspective.
Ngöndro literally means preliminary or preparatory practice that people should do before taking up the actual practice of Vajrayāna. It prepares a student for the actual practice of Vajrayāna Buddhist meditation, which mainly refers to the meditation on the nature of the mind.
This piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called "Why we do what we do".
By doing the dedication, one allocates the merits to the recipient and gives up the sole ownership of the merits. In this way, the merit cannot be used up or destroyed by a sudden anger or remorse because it does not just belong to oneself.
This piece was initially published in Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel in a series called "Why we do what we do".