Old Tibetan Chronicle

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First page of Old Tibetan Chronicle

The Old Tibetan Chronicle is a collection of narrative accounts and songs relating to Tibet's

Old Tibetan Annals comprise Tibet's earliest extant history.[1][2]

Discovery

Paul Pelliot examines manuscripts in cave 17

An enormous number of early manuscripts in a variety of languages were collected by

Old Tibetan Annals, which have been described as "the first and single most important documents available on early Tibetan history."[3]

The Old Tibetan Chronicle is extant in two manuscripts in the

Geza Uray, both are now considered to be two parts a single original manuscript and can be referred to together as the Old Tibetan Chronicle.[4]
In addition, two folios from a single original manuscript, Pelliot tibétain 1144 and IOL Tib J 1375, overlap with narratives found in the Chronicle, though differing in certain details.

Contents

Tale about Drigum Tsenpo

The Old Tibetan Chronicle is a composite text of various lists, narratives and bardic songs arranged to form a single account of the reigns of the

Geza Uray has argued that this composition was made in Dunhuang itself rather than Central Tibet.[6]

The Chronicle begins with a series of lists - of marriage alliances, principalities, emperors and ministers. The list of emperors is prefaced by an account of the descent of the first emperor

Khyungpo Pungse. The Chronicle then continues with a narrative of the following emperors, before coming to Trisong Detsen (r. 756-c.800), in which his victory over the rival Tibetan king Lig Myi-rhya is celebrated. The Chronicle then returns to the reign of an earlier emperor Tridu Songtsen
(676–704), and his victory over a claim to rule Tibetan by the Gar clan.

The Chronicle does not offer a comprehensive account of the history of Tibet. This is partly because of the nature of its composition from earlier narratives and songs. It has also been argued by Lajos Ligeti and

viharas (monasteries) in the centre as well as the borderlands of the country."[9]

Problems with chronology

It has been clear since the Chronicle was first published that there are problems with its chronology. The victory over Lig Myi-rhya is narrated in the section on

Bonpo historical tradition also makes that association.[11]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Dotson (2009), p.9.
  2. ISBN 978-0-300-15404-7
    . Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  3. ^ "Foreword" by Per Sørensen in (Dotson (2009), p. 1.
  4. ^ Uray (1968): pp.124–5.
  5. ^ Uray (1968): 124-5
  6. ^ Uray (1968): 135
  7. ^ Uray (1968): 136–7
  8. ^ "Preface to the Asianart.com edition of this article." By Amy Heller, Jan 21, 2007.
  9. ^ Bacot, Thomas and Toussaint (1940–1946), p. 153.
  10. ^ Macdonald and Imaeda (1979)
  11. ^ Uray (1968): 135–6

References

External links

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