Tibetan Studies In Jjapan

This document, "Tibetan Studies in Japan" by Hajime Nakamura, provides a comprehensive overview of the significant contributions made by Japanese scholars to the field of Tibetan studies in the post-World War II era, with occasional references to pre-war research. The author emphasizes the difficulty of including all publications due to their sheer volume and outlines the criteria for inclusion: works awarded prizes by the Academy of Japan, recommended in the "Japan Science Review," noted by the Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies, mentioned in the "Bibliographie de l'Orientalisme Japonais," reviewed in Western journals, or deemed noteworthy by the author himself.

The article is structured into three main sections:

I. Language: This section highlights Japanese scholarship on the Tibetan language. It notes early works on Tibetan grammar and the debate surrounding the origin of Tibetan script, including the similarity to ancient inscriptions and the influence of Chinese characters and Sanskrit grammar. Key Tibetan grammatical texts like Sum-cu-pa and Rtags-kyi hjug-pa, along with their commentaries, are discussed. Japanese scholars like S. Inaba made significant contributions to understanding classical Tibetan grammar, identifying rules for verb conjugation and distinguishing active and passive voices. Z. Yamaguchi advocated for a linguistic approach to grammar, moving beyond Sanskrit comparisons. The section also mentions the importance of the Mahāvyutpatti lexicon and the publication of a comprehensive Tibetan lexicon and an Eastern Tibetan dictionary based on fieldwork.

II. History and Travel Records: This part focuses on Japanese research into Tibetan history and cultural practices. It mentions introductory works on Tibetan history and culture, with scholars confirming the authenticity of historical descriptions through inscriptions. Research based on Chinese documents, Tung-huang documents, and Tibetan inscriptions has shed light on historical facts. The article touches upon the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet by King Sron-btsan-sgan-po and the controversies surrounding the reign of King Glan-dar-ma. It also notes the publication of historical records from the Ming dynasty relevant to Tibet and the interesting travel records of Japanese scholars documenting nomadic lifestyles and polyandry among some Tibetan communities in Nepal.

III. Tibetan Scriptures and Lamaism: This extensive section details Japanese studies on Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, the development of Tibetan Buddhism, and its various sects and philosophical tenets. It outlines the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, the significance of the Tibetan Canon (Kanjur and Tanjur), and prominent editions like the Peking and Sde-dge. Japanese scholars have critically edited and published Tibetan versions of Buddhist works translated from Sanskrit, as well as early catalogues like the Den-kar-ma. The influence of Indian Buddhist masters like Śāntarakṣita, Kamalaśīla, and Jñānapāda is discussed, along with the importance of Kamalaśīla's Bhāvanākrama.

The development of Tibetan Tantrism, particularly Anuttarayoga and its key texts like Guhyasamāja, Sambara, and Kālacakra, is explored. The article also covers the contributions of Tibetan religious figures such as Atiśa, Mar-pa, Milarepa, and Tsongkhapa, highlighting their influential texts like Bodhipathapradipa and Lam-rim-chen-mo. The complex history of various Tibetan Buddhist sects, including the Bka'-gdams-pa and Dge-lugs-pa, is touched upon.

Furthermore, the section delves into the philosophical aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, including the study of Buddhist idealism and the application of Indian logic in debates. The influence of Chinese Buddhism on Tibetan Buddhism, such as the introduction of the Sixteen Arhats, is noted. A significant achievement highlighted is the restoration of lost parts of a Chinese commentary on the Sandhinirmocana-sūtra from its Tibetan version. The article concludes by outlining the salient characteristics of Tibetan ways of thinking and the importance of studying Mongolian Lamaism alongside Tibetan studies.

The author concludes by acknowledging the ongoing nature of Tibetan studies in Japan and the valuable contributions being made across various disciplines.