Study of Tibetan Literature

Author: Tong Jinhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: Many experts have made insightful remarks about 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 outstanding and rare gem in the field of Tibetan literature research. The famous folk literature scholar Professor Jia Zhi wrote in his article "Tibetologist Tong Jinhua" with deep affection: "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. With a strict historical materialist perspective and a class analysis approach, he exposed and condemned the serfdom system in Tibet and introduced various beautiful literary creations of the Tibetan people." "Comrade Tong Jinhua can be said to be a pioneer in Tibetan literature research. He devoted his entire 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 dedicated 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, wrote in his article "Remembering Jinhua on Qingming Festival" with heartfelt nostalgia: "He was my senior. In my eyes, he read more books, traveled more places, and had broader knowledge than I did. I was willing to talk to him about anything. He helped me a lot. We were truly like brothers, bound by deep friendship." The China Education News published a special feature report titled A Lifetime of Pursuit Should Not Regret by Yu Jiankun, which is divided into three sections. The first section, "Breaking Through the Darkness Before Dawn," mainly introduces how Tong Jinhua, in 1948, at Zhejiang University, 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—the East China University. The second section, "Deeply Affectionate for the Snow-Capped Mountains and Valleys," mainly introduces how Tong Jinhua was captivated by the magnificent plateau scenery, fell in love with the highest land in the world and its Tibetan people, and began his arduous journey in the high mountains and valleys. The third section, "Spending His Heart and Soul Unremittingly," mainly introduces how Tong Jinhua left behind more than 3 million words of manuscripts on Tibetan literature research, his heart bleeding profusely, and his back bent so much from leaning over his desk that his heart condition grew increasingly severe.