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Tibetan Thangka Calligraphy Compendium

Lead by editor-in-chief Lhogya,this book was edited cooperatively by the members of the Consultative Board of the Tibetan Gakyi Ling Construction Co., Ltd. It provides readers with a comprehensive case that the ancestors of modern Tibetans developed their written languageas early as 4,000 years ago. The actual written characters were called “Dasi characters”. Possibly in 1000 years later, the founder of Bon religion, Tonpa Shenrab, further developed the Dasi characters into Ma characters. Later still in the 7th Century, Thonmi Sambhota finally formed Tibetan characters. During that period Tibetan written language appeared in two different fonts: Urgyan and Urgmei.

However, throughout history Tibetan culture has enabled calligraphists to create over 60fonts. This book gives a complete description of the different fonts of Tibetan written language, including the most recent creations. The editors diligently collected every variety of fonts from ancient times to the present day by trekking through Tibetan inhabited areas, seeking the “rescue and preservation of Tibetan non-material cultural heritage”. By including immense Thangkas in the book, the editors offer real life examples of the evolution of Tibetan calligraphy throughout history. The book is particularly rich with a variety of source materials in terms of variety, scale and scope-all of which contributeto it becoming the first and foremost publication on the subject. Published in Tibetan, Chinese, and English versions by the TibetanPeoples Publishing House (ISBN 7-223-02022-9). The price is 108Yuan (paperback).

Selection of Tibetan LiteraryHistory(23)

Edited by the Committee of Ethnic Religions Literary History of CPPCC, Tibet Autonomous Region, this book includes a total of 18 papers. Among these are “The Records of Natural Disasters in All Counties of Shigatse during the Second Half of the 20th Century” produced

by the Committee of Literary History of the CPPCC of Shigatse Prefecture, “The Compendium of General Interior Ministers of Lhoka Prefecture” written by a team from the Literary History of CPPCC of Lhoka Prefecture, the “Civil Insurgency in Rutok” by the team of Literary History of CPPCC of Ngari Prefecture, the “Lhodrak Do Dzang Event Occurring during the Founding of the Religious Office in the Tibetan year of the Fire Monkey (1956)” by Khechog Loten, “Sangngak Cho Dzaaong and the ruling of Traya” by Urgyen Tseten, “Tours of Duty in Dingru” by Phurbu, and “Cooperation between Doctor Tseten Lhawang and Me” by

Zhu Jiong. The book is published by the Ethnic Minority Publishing House and priced at 10 Yuan (ISBN978-7-105-09159-1).

A Selection of Tibetan Literary History (24)

This book comprises 20 chapters and is edited by the Committee of the Ethnic and Religious Literary History of CPPCC, Tibet Autonomous Region. The book includes the following papers: Saying Farewell to Yesterday written by Liu Tianqi, An Autocratic Family History- Phagmo Lhading by Lhading Namgyel Dorje and Kerong Lozang Tenzin, The Wind and Clouds in Tibet during the Anti-Japanese War by Tsring Wangjie Shozong, The Tibetan Shakabpa Delegation Paid a Secret Visit to the United States by Cheng Liqiang, the Upper and Lower Esoteric College, and Document Collection on Tibetan Issues by the Government of the United States in 1942 by

Shen Jiayuan, and finally the Epitome of Substantial Events occurring in Riwoche during the 1950s. Published by the Ethnic Minority Publishing House, the book is priced at 18.6 Yuan

(ISBN978-7-05-09160 -1).

Nyima Sect of Tibetan Buddhism

This is one of a series books on Tibetan Religious Culture written by Drarcha Chonda. Nyima Sect was founded by the Lotus Buddha and developed successively by the three great luminaries of the Sur family. On inheriting the key principles of its origin, the Nyima Sect has built 753 monasteries scattered all over Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, and Yunnan. The book outlines the emergence, development and continuation of the Nyima Sect. In particular, by including large illustrations, the author describes the eminent monks and major monasteries of the Nyima Sect. In addition, the principle doctrines and the significance of this religious sect are also revealed throughout the book. Priced at 15 Yuan, the book has been published by the Tibetan Peoples Publishing House (ISBN7-223-020997).