Dr Michael Willis (British Museum)

The monastery at bSam yas is well known as the first and most important Buddhist establishment in Tibet. The oldest parts of the building date to the eighth century, not long after the offical establishment of Buddhism. There is a short foundation inscription at the site, but otherwise we depend on later histories for an account of the institution was developed to support religious activity there. The oldest of the later histories is known as the "Testimony of BA" and dates to about 1000 CE. Composed several centuries after bSam yas was first constructed, this lecture looks at the oldest surviving copy of the text and explores how Tibetans wrote their history and, in doing so, defined their identity and history.

Date: 15 March 2013 Time: 5:30 PM

Finishes: 15 March 2013 Time: 6:30 PM

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings Room: 116 See Map

Type of Event: Lecture

Price: Free

Series: Circle of Tibetan and Himalayan Studies

Organiser: Dr Ulrich Pagel