A Study Of Formal Tibetan Oaths During The Tubo Period Based Upon Ancient Tibetan Texts

The oath as a ritualized statement of commitment, obligation or intent has played a central role in many cultures from early history. The use of a formal and public oath to enact binding promises was and is important for social cohesion in many cultures, ensuring relationships. As such they have a essential social function..This thesis focuses specifically on the role of oaths during the Tubo Kingdom period. Research of the available literature concerning oaths shows that'the oath'had a direct impact on the social stability and development of the Tubo Kingdom. Furthermore, it was an important ritual practice when dealing with overseas foreign diplomats and as such this study makes an important contribution to the understanding of social history and ideology during the Tubo period.The thesis outlines a definition of Tibetan oaths and their ritual characteristics. The thesis also argues that oaths during the Tubo period exhibit a religious function and are related to social cultural status. This seems to indicate the complexity of the social context, and in particular the co-existence of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion during that period.The research employed two approaches: firstly an intensive literature review of contemporaneous documentation drawing this as historical data; and secondly contextual study of the legal and wider anthropological factors.