American Scholar Rokeyi And His Tibetan Studies

William Woodville Rockhill(1854-1914)is the American scholar-diplomat,who is famous for his Tibetan studies and the diplomatic achievements.But for a long time,some scholars who engaged in Rockhill's studies always have focused on his diplomatic achievements while ignored his Tibetan Studies Contribution.Especially,the academia lacked systematic and comprehensive analysis about the complication and collation of the Tibetan Scriptures,two reports on the Tibetan Highlands and the arrangement and analysis of the Tibet-related files.It is of great significance to accurately grasp and understand the academic status and social impact of Rockhill.Of course,this is also an extremely valuable reference for understanding the development of American tibetology at that time.In this paper,the author tries to make a comprehensive and systematic review of his life,and clarify the origin and background of his Tibetan studies.At the same time,through analyze various translations,monographs and articles to understand the content and characteristics of Rockhill's Tibetan studies.In the end,I will put Rockhill's personal experience and academic research into the history of the development of American tibetology in order to better understand the significance and value of Rockhill's Tibetan studies.This paper is divided into three parts except for the introduction:Chapter one,the life of Rockhill.This chapter is mainly based on Rockhili's study and work experience,which divides his life into three stages:the period of tibetology enlightenment(1854-1884),the period of investigation into Tibet(1884-1893),and the period of his involvement in diplomacy(1893-1914).As a teenager,Rockhill did not enjoy the rights of education for the family's misfortune.Later,under his mother's efforts,they moved to France and began his career as a student.In France,Rockhill first touched Eastern culture and began to have a keen interest in Tibet.The hardships of his early years and the experience of studying in France laid a foundation for his subsequent visits to Tibet and cultivated a hard-working spirit.In 1884,he accepted the appointment of a second secretary to the United States as the US Ambassador to China and opened a journey to Tibet for field trips.The research results have made great contributions to the development of the United States Tibetan Studies and China-US relations.From he first came to contact Tibetan studies in 1871 until his death in 1914,he translated and wrote dozens of monographs and articles,including Buddhist scriptures,reports of Tibet study,ethnological readings,and Tibetan-related files,and introduced Tibetan history,geography,religion,culture and other fields.Chapter two,the Tibetan studies of Rockhill.This chapter is a brief analysis of Rockhill's writings.Based on the contents of monographs and articles written by Tibetan scholars in different periods of time,the author divided the research results into three categories:the complication and collation of the Tibetan Scriptures,two reports on the Tibetan Highlands and the arrangement and analysis of the Tibet-related files.And discussed or introduced the important articles and bibliographies.Chapter three,the contribution and influence of Rockhill's Tibetan studies.This chapter,through summarizing and summarizing the writings of Rockhill,focused on the academic influence,diplomatic influence of Rockhill's Tibetan Studies and his academic exchange activities.The conclusion is mainly a summary of the academic life of Rockhill and his influence on Tibetan studies.All in all,Rockhill is a pioneer for American tibetology.From an academic perspective,his Tibetan studies have advanced the development of American Tibetology,opened the door for American to understand the Tibet,inspired more American Tibetan enthusiasts to go to China for Tibetan studies and established the position of American tibetology in the western Tibetan community.In addition,for the development China tibetology,Rockhill's Tibetan studies also has important reference.From a social point of view,Rockhill's Tibetan studies promoted the US government's understanding and attitude of the Tibet issue,and affected the development of China-US relations.So Rockhill is a veritable Tibetologist.