How to Better Inherit and Preserve Tibetan Culture?

　　Luan Jianzhang (China)

　　The Tibetan people have created a unique culture with rich content, distinct features and diverse forms along the course of history. A better inheritance and preservation of the Tibetan culture is conducive to the sustainable development of Tibet and the diversity of world culture. In this regard, we need to pay attention to the following aspects.

　　Firstly, we should pay special attention to the archaeological studies and future development of Tibetan culture. Due to its time-honored history, extensive and profound content as well as historical evolution, the Tibetan culture has lost trace of some of its origins and development sequence. Thus efforts must be made to clarify the origin and evolution of Tibetan culture by conducting more archaeological studies and excavations. For example, it is based on excavation findings that we know Zhangzhung civilization is the very root of Tibetan culture. Zhangzhung scripts are the main source of the writing system of the Tibetan language. Zhangzhung medicine exerts a deep influence over Tibetan medicine. The indigenous religion of Bon which derives from Zhanzhung civilization has a major impact on the social life of Tibetan people. Quite a number of research papers at home and aboard have been devoted to the study of Zhangzhung civilization. However, there still lacks enough archaeological excavations. If we are to inherit and preserve the Tibetan culture in a complete and systemic way, we have to do more exploration to find out the origin of the Tibetan culture. Otherwise, we won’t be sure where the Tibetan culture comes from and where it is going. In addition to inheriting and preserving the Tibetan culture, we also need to ensure its proper use and development, which is both an important means and a must choice to better inherit and preserve the Tibetan culture. Without proper use and development, the Tibetan culture even though well preserved might turn into a lifeless fossil, only for exhibition. It would lose its relevance in everyday life as well as its charm to people in modern society. In a word, to carry forward the Tibetan culture, it’s important that we pay attention to the whole process of excavation, inheritance, preservation, usage and development, with equal emphasis on each link.

　　Secondly, we should leverage the role of the NGOs. To inherit and preserve the Tibetan culture is a major systematic project involving various aspects of society with both material and spiritual, historical and realistic implications. The government of course has its unshirkable responsibility and NGOs also have an indispensible part to play, which has been proved time and again by international practices. Without the guidance and support of the government, it’s difficult to sustain the efforts; yet without the participation and cooperation of the NGOs, it’s hard to get the work done in a meticulous and comprehensive way. NGOs and folk cultures have a natural bond through which they grow and prosper together. Besides, NGOs have their unique advantages in professionality, flexibility and passion, and their members are often persistent and committed, not caring about what they can get in return but having a more direct and in-depth touch of culture, which helps to maintain the diversity, vitality and originality of culture itself. The government can combine its support with social efforts through commissioned operation, service purchase and financial subsidy during the whole process of preserving the Tibetan culture to make the best out of the limited input. Chinese NGOs have made some efforts and achieved certain outcomes. According to Losang Shandan, a Living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism, “NGOs and the government have been committed to preserving the Tibetan culture”. For example, Tiannuo Charity Foundation, a national level private fund devoted to cultural protection and poverty alleviation in Tibet, has been doing excavation and preservation work of Zhangzhung civilization, which received sound social effects. The Foundation produced a five-episode TV documentary called “Tibet of Tibet”, shown on Phoenix TV and Beijing TV. Of course, we have to admit that Chinese NGOs’ efforts in this regard have just started and there is much more to do. With the strategic arrangement of the third plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee on the role of NGOs and with the implementation of related reform measures, we believe that Chinese NGOs will play an increasing role in inheriting and protecting the Tibetan culture.

　　Thirdly, we should carry out in-depth international exchanges and cooperation. The Tibetan culture belongs not only to China but also to the whole world. Therefore, it is important to draw upon international experience and allow participation of the international community in the efforts of inheriting and preserving the Tibetan culture. Many countries in the world have their advanced experience that China can learn from. The United States, UK, France and Greece have introduced the market mechanism in preserving traditional cultures, combining the role of the government and the laws of the market. The French government delegated the power of authenticating and managing cultural heritages to the NGOs, encouraging them to be the discoverers and protectors of cultural heritages. There are such campaigns like the “volunteer work site”, calling on teenager volunteers to contribute to the maintenance and renovation of castles, towers, knights’ residences, churches, cottages, farms, mills, factories, gardens and other historic spots and cultural relics so that those places can once again come into service and open to the public and leave a vivid impression in people’s minds. All these experience and practices are worthy of learning. The Tibet Development Forum today is a good example of international communication and cooperation. The China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), as a national social organization network with independent legal person status, is committed to widely associating with international and domestic NGOs and personages, and facilitating Chinese NGOs in carrying out exchanges and cooperation with their counterparts in the world so as to enhance the friendship among peoples of various countries. We hope that through such a platform we can also promote the exchanges and cooperation between Chinese NGOs and their international counterparts in inheriting and preserving the Tibetan culture.

　　（Luan Jianzhang, Director, China NGO Network for International Exchanges）