| The development of Tibetan studies(or Tibetology)in Europe has a history of hundreds of years,but there is little comprehensive discussion on this topic in the academic circles at home and abroad,because of its bulky content and tedious details involved.Combing its historical development context is not only of important reference significance to understand the overall picture of Tibetan studies in Europe and its current situation,and to judge its future development trends.It also has certain reference value to the development of Tibetan studies in China.This author here tries to discover some new research materials or deeds of scholars that have not been paid attention to by the academic community before,and to show some hidden phenomena,so as to provide new inspiration for the further research on the history of Tibetan studies.The topic of this dissertation is determined according to the National Social Science Fund’s major bidding project "Collation and Research of Classics on Tibetan Studies abroad since Modern Times"(14ZDB115),presided by tutor,Professor Wang Qilong as the chief expert.Its aim is to present the history of Tibetan studies in Europe with clear context and distinctive features based on a relatively complete and systematic exposition of the key facts of its development in Europe.The author tries her best to explore the reasons of Tibetan studies in Europe in different stages,and its status and characteristics in different stages.In addition to the Introduction and Conclusion,the main body is divided into four parts covering different historical periods,of which each part is divided into three or four chapters to describe various aspects of each period,such as the historical background,the characteristics,the important scholars and classic works as well.The first part is a review of the development of Tibetan studies in Europe from the 16th century to the mid-19th century.During this period,under the impetus of missionaries,the British East India Company and the development of European Buddhism,Tibet gradually entered the vision of western society.Tibetan studies in Europe were mainly conducted by missionaries,explorers and scholars.The research results were concentrated in the fields of religion,language and history.Narrative and translation had been the most important methods,and then,comparative analysis was taken.At the beginning of the 19th century,Alexander Csoma de Koros,a Hungarian Csoma conducted a systematic and concentrated professional study on Tibetan culture for the first time,since then the linguistic and philological models of Tibetan studies were basically formed,and European Tibetan studies took initial shape.The second part is an exploration of the development of Tibetan studies in Europe from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century.In the second half of the 19th century,with the development of Christian missions abroad,the exploration of European countries in Asia and the increase of interest competition,the importance of Tibetan studies attracted their attention.During this period,Tibetan studies became more academic,and the number of researchers engaged in Tibetan studies increased.Thanks to the joint efforts of missionaries,scholars and explorers,Tibetan studies gained more in-depth development during this period,and accumulated experience and resources for subsequent studies.In addition to the traditional subjects,such as history,language,religion,literature research,the studies on the character,art,folk literature,archaeology,society,and traditional medicine,calendar calculation,economy appeared as well.Research field is expanded,the research scope is much wider.By the middle of the 20th century,the research system and framework of Tibetan studies in Europe had been basically established.During this period,Tibetan studies became more academic and professional Tibetologists,such as Giuseppe Tucci,and so on,began to appear.It has obtained further development and accumulated experience and resources for subsequent research.The third part summarizes and analyzes its development in Europe from the mid-20th century to the 1980s.After World War Ⅱ,Europe was faced with the social crisis of collapse of spiritual belief,and eastern religion became one of the important measures for Europe to realize self-reconstruction.In this context,a group of Tibetan monks took an active part in various parts of Europe and set up Tibetan Buddhism or Bon monasteries one after another,thus Tibetan religious culture began to enter the life of European people.At the same time,with the attention and development of the academic community on the collation of Tibetan literature and material collections,the Tibetan studies which had been delayed due to the impact of the Second World War has been restored and improved gradually.In this period,Tibetan studies in Europe entered an era dominated by scholars,and a number of Tibetology research institutions and groups began to emerge.European countries that had not paid much attention to this discipline before also began to participate in the international Tibetan study.The new generation of scholars,such as Rolf Alfred Stein(1911-1999),following the research methods of linguistics,philology,field study and document record,began to focus on the social and political fields of Tibet in addition to the traditional research themes.By the second half of the 20th century,the territory of Tibetan studies in Europe had become more complete,and Tibetan studies had made more adequate and perfect development.The fourth part is a general summary of Tibetan studies in Europe from the 1980s to the early 21st century.After more than 30 years of accumulation after the Second World War,with the implementation of China’s reform and opening up policy and the development of scientific research and technology after the 1980s,European Tibetology has gained more extensive and in-depth development on the basis of inheriting its solid tradition.During this period,the number of professional researchers in Tibetan studies in Europe increased,including both those who received professional academic training and worked in a university or scientific institution,and some independent scholars.The number of specialties,institutions or job titles in Tibetan studies has also increased.In addition to the diversity of participants in scientific research projects,international academic activities are also increasing.European scholars are increasingly aware of the potential and advantages of Asian countries and scholars in Tibetan studies.In terms of specific research,the field and object of Tibetan studies in this period were more carefully and concretely divided,the interdisciplinary perspectives and methods were more diversified,and the openness and internationality of Tibetan studies were more distinct.By the beginning of the 21st century,Tibetan studies in Europe had been quite complete and the system of Tibetan studies had become more mature.Based on the sorting and analysis of the historical development of Tibetan studies in Europe more than five hundred years,the author argues that,since the 16th century,Europe Tibetology has developed from a ignored auxiliary learning to international important discipline,and accumulated fruitful research results and research experience.The research content has shifted from simple description to scientific research and has become increasingly diversified.In terms of research methods,linguistics,philology and field investigation and analysis have formed three basic approaches,and the trend of interdisciplinary is becoming increasingly obvious,showing the overall characteristics of paying equal attention to document research and field practice,basically synchronizing Tibetan studies and Himalayan studies,and taking objective scientific research as the purpose and weak political purpose.In addition,the history of Tibetan studies in Europe also provides a useful reference for the development of China Tibetology in terms of scientific research and personnel training,emphasizes the importance of basic research and academic cooperation,and highlights the value of interdisciplinary and comprehensive talents. |
