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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.
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".
An enumeration of the seven subsidiary precious possessions of a monarch or elite person.
A summary of the needs for and means of generating compassion as one of the four immeasurables, as told from the Bhutanese perspective.
An overview of the compilation and contents of the Nyingma Gyubum in Bhutan, as well as an enumeration of its various editions in the country.
In this practice, one makes the offering of the entire universe or world, as one perceives it. The fundamental concept underpinning the maṇḍalaoffering is giving all good things which exists in the entire universe to one’s guru, the Buddha or the Bodhisattvas.
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 function and structure of a standard verse of auspiciousness recited in Bhutan and throughout the Buddhist world.
Cultivation of an observer awareness that watches whatever is coming and going in the stream.
The papermaking process in Bhutan, including raw materials, its creation, its origins in the country, and the historic role of the paper tax in relations between Bhutan and Tibet.
Students balance in a boat pose across from a partner while holding their partners’ hands and pressing against their partners’ feet.
In this partner exercise, students sit back to back in butterfly pose.
Students sit with legs in a V, clasp hands with a partner, and gently stretch forward and back.
Pressing hands with a partner, students squat down and then lift up on tiptoe.
In this partner exercise, students sit back to back and balance in flower pose.
Pressing hands with a partner, students raise and lower their arms and link their breath with the movements.