Buddhist Studies with Special Reference to Tibetan
By Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya
Summary
Labelled as a miscellany, this article surveys recent advances in Buddhist studies with an emphasis on Tibetan scholarship. The author notes that Tibet has preserved Sanskrit works lost in India and that Tibetan scholars have produced detailed commentaries on Madhyamaka and Yogācāra philosophies. The article summarises translations of Indian texts such as the Abhidharmakośa, highlighting how Tibetan exegetes clarified doctrinal points. It discusses the discovery of previously unknown sūtras and tantras in the libraries of Lhasa and Derge and the efforts of Western scholars to catalogue them. A section reviews research on the history of the Tibetan canon, including the division into Kangyur and Tengyur and the dating of different redactions. The author emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between philologists, historians and practising lamas. He also discusses how Tibetan oral histories and pilgrimage guides can shed light on Indian Buddhist sites. The article calls attention to the need for critical editions of Tibetan translations to assess their fidelity to Sanskrit originals. By bringing together diverse developments, the article illustrates the vibrancy of Buddhist studies in the early twentieth century.
Conclusion
The survey reveals that Tibetan sources are indispensable for reconstructing the intellectual history of Buddhism. They preserve teachings and commentaries otherwise lost and offer unique perspectives on Indian traditions. Ongoing collaborations between Tibetan scholars and international academics promise to deepen our understanding of Buddhist philosophy, ritual and history. The article thus highlights Tibet’s central role in the preservation and interpretation of Buddhist heritage.