Research on Tibetan Literature

Author: Tong Jinhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: Many experts have offered insightful remarks on Tong Jinhua's academic achievements and personal qualities. The renowned linguist, educator, and ethnic literary scholar Professor Ma Xueliang wrote a commemorative article titled "Loss of a Fine Talent" to mourn the untimely death of his brilliant student Tong Jinhua. It is evident that Professor Ma hailed Tong Jinhua as an exceptional and rare talent in the field of Tibetan literature research. The famous folk literature scholar Professor Jia Zhi wrote in his article "Tibetologist Tong Jinhua" with deep emotion: "If Tong Jinhua's series of works are presented to readers, one can see his profound exploration and description of Tibetan history, culture, religion, philosophy, social changes, and the high mountains and grasslands of the western frontier of the motherland, showcasing his extensive knowledge. He exposed and criticized the serfdom system in Tibet with a strict historical materialist perspective and class analysis, introducing various beautiful literary creations of the Tibetan people." "Comrade Tong Jinhua can be said to be a pioneer in Tibetan literature research. He dedicated his life to the exploration and systematic scientific research of Tibetan studies, especially Tibetan classical and folk literature." The aesthetic expert Professor Yu Naichang wrote in the preface to Tong Jinhua's "Research on Tibetan Literature": "He devoted his life to the cause of Tibetan literature, and his sincere love for Tibetan literature still moves my heart. On one hand, I am once again deeply attracted by the incisive and unique insights in his papers; on the other hand, I am also deeply moved by the profound affection for Tibetan literature contained in his papers." The literary critic Professor Zhang Jie, a classmate of Tong Jinhua at the Literature Department of Peking University, recalled him with deep emotion in his article "Remembering Jinhua on Qingming Festival": "He was my senior. In my eyes, he read more books, traveled more places, and had broader knowledge and experience than I did. I was always willing to talk to him about anything. He helped me a lot. We were truly like brothers, bound by a deep bond." The China Education News published a special report titled "A Lifetime of Pursuit Should Not Be Regretted" by Yu Jiankun, detailing Tong Jinhua's academic life, divided into three sections.
The first section, "Breaking Through the Darkness Before Dawn," introduces how Tong Jinhua, in 1948, read progressive articles by Lu Xun, Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, and Ba Jin, as well as literary works from the liberated areas, and upon hearing the news of the liberation of North China, crossed the river to the north and joined the revolutionary school in Jinan—East China University.
The second section, "Deeply Affectionate for the Snow-Capped Mountains and Valleys," describes how Tong Jinhua was captivated by the magnificent plateau scenery and fell in love with the highest land in the world and its Tibetan people, embarking on arduous journeys in the high mountains and deep valleys.
The third section, "Spending His Heart and Soul Without Regret," introduces how Tong Jinhua left behind more than 3 million words of manuscripts on Tibetan literature research, with his heart weakening greatly, and his back bending too much from leaning over his desk. The tragic scene of his failing heart is a poignant portrayal of his life.