Photo: OHHDL
His Holiness the Dalai Lama launched the new Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary in the courtyard of Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala on May 27. The Dictionary was compiled by the Monlam Tibetan IT Research Centre based in Dharamshala. The centre works on research and development of softwares relevant to Tibetan language.
Addressing the gathering His Holiness said, “We Tibetans have a rich religious and cultural tradition. While we were in Tibet, we were not aware of how it compared with other traditions, but once we came into exile we became aware of how precious our heritage is. It’s a practical tradition at the core of which are methods for tackling negative emotions and cultivating peace of mind. In my own daily practice I focus on the awakening mind of bodhichitta and cultivating an understanding of emptiness, which together bring me deep inner peace.
“Today, Chinese communist hard-liners criticise Tibetan culture without really understanding what it’s about. We may be unable to send these 223 volumes to China at present, but in Taiwan there will be people who can appreciate what kind of culture we have preserved.
“We are not seeking total independence from China, but we need to be able to keep our religion and culture alive. We shall be more than willing to share this knowledge with our Chinese brothers and sisters in the hope that doing so will promote peace between us,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness addressing the gathering
Photo: OHHDL
He continued, “Our culture originated in India, and today we have all sorts of means to make it better known. I think there would be great benefit in combining aspects of ancient Indian knowledge with modern science. I’m looking forward to discussing how this might be done with educationists and others in Delhi. The most important element is understanding the workings of the mind and emotions, which leads to peace of mind and in the longer run to peace in the world.
“Chinese hardliners misapprehend the value of our religion and culture. Publication of this dictionary, which is already being translated into Chinese, can go some way to educating them.
“We woke up to the potential of our knowledge and culture when we came into exile and we have worked with courage and determination to keep them alive. I’m only one person and I’ve done what I can, but all of you gathered here can contribute to this too,” concluded His Holiness.
Ven Monlam presenting the dictionary to His Holiness
Photo: OHHDL
Venerable Lobsang Monlam, curator of the Monlam Grand Tibetan Dictionary explained that the 223-volume dictionary was compiled by 200 people from both inside and outside Tibet. The project took nine years to complete and was supported by the Dalai Lama Trust. The dictionary is also available in 37 apps and a fully-fledged website.
Ven Monlam said that with more than 395,000 entries, the dictionary is one of the largest dictionaries in the world, adding that it reveals the vast depth of the Tibetan culture. He said that completion of the dictionary is an historic achievement that will make a substantial contribution towards the preservation of Tibetan cultural traditions.
“Inside Tibet, the Chinese are trying to eliminate our language and culture, but here in exile we are making even greater efforts to keep them alive,” said Ven Monlam
The launch ceremony was also attended by Sakya Gongma Rinpoché, the 42nd and 43rd Sakya Trizins, and the head of the Bön Tradition and the officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.
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