Archaeologic Excavations in Thailand: Surface Finds and Minor Excavations

History

Sorensen, Per

Asia

Curzon Press

<p>This publication represents the results of a detailed historical-philological and anthropological study dedicated to the history and cult of Khra-´brug or the "Thundering Falcon" temple. It constitutes the first serious inquiry into the locations history, focusing exclusively on this major religious shrine and pilgrimage site, which, according to the Tibetan tradition, is commonly regarded as the oldest (Buddhist) temple in Tibet. The sanctuary, located in the heart of the Yar-lung Valley in southern Central Tibet, which is the cradle of the Tibetan civilization and erstwhile homeland of the Tibetan kings, was erected in the 7th century during the reign of the emperor Srong-btsan sgam-po (d. A.D. 649). Chronologically the temple may have been built immediately preceding the temple sanctuary of Lhasa, which was erected by the same king, the Ra-sa´i´ Phrul-snang, otherwise known as Jo-khang, and which is famed as the symbolic centre and national sanctum of Buddhist Tibet. The main part of the book is made up of a number of primary sources that deal with Khra-´brug, which are presented here in extensively annotated translations. These include excerpts gleaned from various historiographical works as well as local documents. One of these is a local pilgrims guide, Khra ´brug gnas bshad (dating from the early 20th century), which forms the most important source in the book and which is also reproduced in facsimile. Furthermore, extensive surveys that were conducted in situ are presented, gleaned from the wealth of local oral traditions that still prevail in Khra-´brug and in Yar-lung. They deliver significant new insights and thus enrich the data extracted from the written sources appreciably. Together, the source material and its comparative analysis open a door to the fascinating world behind the history of this temple, a vista that, from a modern perspective, allows us to appraise and survey central issues related to politics and religion, as well as a number of arcane cult traditions of the period from the 7th to 20th centuries. The appendices contain separate studies related to specific questions concerning the history of the temple, sometimes addressing issues going beyond Khra-´brug such as an extensive discussion of the extant lists of the first temples of the kingdom that are ascribed to the founding king Srong-btsan sgam-po. Also included is a study of the earlier local historical context, a history of the main protector gods, and various examples of the fascinating temple cults (some to a certain extent still alive, others revitalized). These assumed their decisive forms during the era of the fifth Dalai Lama, when Khra-´brug was transformed into a state temple for the emerging central government in Lhasa. Architectural documentation, several cartographical sketches based on satellite photos, an extensive photo documentation (both old and rare pictures and numerous recent photos), and, finally, the accompanying DVD (with recent documentary films devoted to the temple and its important annual festival) make this engrossing book a joy to read and a feast for the eyes, both for advanced scholars and the interested lay audience. The index includes all Tibetan and Sanskrit names (persons and places) and text titles that are cited in the translated sources.</p>

Thundering Falcon (Beitrage Zur Kultur- Und Geistesgeschichte Asiens)

Hazod, G.

Austrian Academy of Sciences Press

<p>The present study constitutes an extensive contribution to the historical study of early and medieval Tibet and can be seen as follow-up to two previous works published by the same authors in 2000 and 2005 (OAW, Beitrage zur Kultur- und Geistesgeschichte Asiens, Nos. 36 and 46). It is the continuation of an on-going fruitful cooperation between European and Tibetan researchers. The authors also here follow a strict methodological approach that combine in-depth textual analyses, philology, anthropological inquiries and fieldwork thereby creating a new approach within the field of Tibetan historical study. In addition and pursuant to the textual elaboration, the endeavour to identify and localize all relevant toponyms and the detailed cartographical work following it opens up a new dimension to the historical study and what might be labelled historical geography, throwing new light on the historical development and its ramifications in the hinterlands of the political and religious centres. Starting from the history of the Tshal-pa - in the 13-14th century the religious and political hegemony of sKyid-shod, the core region of Northern Central Tibet - the present study offers new insight into the relations and interaction between clan, territory, religious lineages and local powers within this region around Lhasa in the period from the 11th to the 17th century. Part 1 of the book (=volume 1 of the present edition) is a translation of a basic text concerning the history of Tshal Gung-thang; the latter means the monastic centre near Lhasa (today only partly extant) which was founded by the charismatic ascetic, yogin and religious head Gung-thang Bla-ma Zhang (1123-1193). Connected to it is a very detailed annotation of the text, drawing up a host of (partly rare or unknown) comparative sources on the earlier history of this region. Part 2 includes five appendices: four lengthy individual studies on various aspects of the history (and cultic tradition) of Tshal-pa and the Lhasa valley, as well as a compilation of several historical tables. This includes clan genealogies, lists of religious institutions, lists of names, such as the numerous teachers and disciples of the Tshal-pa founder, religious lines of neighbouring monastic powers and not least genealogical tables of the regional hegemonies of the post Tshal-pa era. An extensive cartographical and photographical documentation (including rare historical photos) as well as the facsimile of two Tshal-pa texts complete the present work, which may be regarded as a source book or reference work on the history of sKyid-shod and the Lhasa Valley, the politically most important area in Tibet. Easy access and reference is ensured through an index which includes all personal names and place names mentioned in the two volumes. Gedruckt mit Unterstuetzung des Fonds zur Forderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung.</p>

Rulers of the Celestial Plain: Ecclesiastic and Secular Hegemony in Medieval Tibet. A Study of Tshal Gung-thang (Veroffentlichungen Zur Sozianlanthropologie, 10)

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