Field Research on the History of Tibetan Religion

Author: Li Anzai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The author traveled from the occupied Beijing to the Northwest, and after overcoming numerous difficulties and obstacles, conducted an extensive field study in the Gannan Tibetan area. He spent over three years investigating Lhasa Monastery, one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism, and gathered a wealth of materials. These were compiled into A Field Study of Tibetan Religious History, which is widely regarded both domestically and internationally as an outstanding work written through field research and social investigation on the history of Tibetan religion (as quoted in the preface by Lei Jieqiong). The book introduces the cultural background and historical overview of Tibetan culture, with a focus on Tibetan beliefs before the adoption of Buddhism and early Buddhism; the Gelugpa—the reform or ruling sect of Buddhism; and the Gelugpa monasteries—Lakang Monastery. Although this work was written half a century ago, it marks the beginning of field studies on Tibetan Buddhism in China and represents the academic standards of its time.