Nitartha International identifies Tibet’s most critical and endangered educational texts in need of preservation while directly supporting educational systems to share these documents. Scholars are trained in reading and interpreting the texts while at the same time entering them into an electronic database.
Preserving Tibetan Cultural Heritage
The Tibetan educational texts being preserved are over 1000 years old and include translations of Indian texts dating back over 2000 years. The program at Nitartha International was initiated by Tibetan scholars, as well as the monastic society, after many texts were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Since the 1950s when communist China invaded Tibet, many Tibetans have fled their homes for refuge in other countries. Monasteries have been destroyed and masters killed. The Tibetan culture and language are becoming endangered as Tibetans no longer are free to live and practice as they wish in their homeland. Given this situation, preservation of ancient texts is critical to the continuation of the rich Tibetan scholarship.
Digital Preservation of Tibetan Texts and Scholarship
Many Tibetan texts were misplaced during the exodus of the Tibetan people, and scholars spent decades locating them. Many of the originals were printed on rice paper, which decays over time. Recreating these texts in the traditional manner would be time-consuming and difficult. Therefore, the creation of digital versions of these texts has become the primary means of preserving them.
The steps involved in this process include:
- Experts in the field are sought to identify endangered texts.
- Texts are input into digital formats.
- The texts are then checked for accuracy.
- Leading scholars prepare the texts for publication.
- The texts are translated into English and prepared for translation into other languages.
- The books are used within educational programs.
- Printed texts are provided free of charge to teachers and educational institutions most in need.
The digital text inputting at Nitartha International is completed on a standard English keyboard, and the organization uses the Nitartha-Sambhota Tibetan language word-processing software and font system which is known as the leading software for Tibetan publishing. Nitartha also provides online tools for Tibetan research and language publication.
Community Involvement in Preserving Tibetan Culture
Through Nitartha International’s consultations with many people with various levels of expertise, hundreds of people become involved with Nitartha International each day. Individuals highly educated within the Tibetan culture are trained in reading the texts while others are responsible for inputting the texts. Nitartha’s goal is to employ individuals largely from the Tibetan community – typically about ten people who are responsible for inputting key texts within a computer input system. Employees are able to obtain computer proficiency skills while helping to preserve their traditional culture.
Nitartha International's approach to preserving Tibetan educational texts demonstrates the importance of integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge. By digitizing endangered texts, the organization not only safeguards cultural heritage but also enhances accessibility for future generations. Training local scholars in both reading and digital input fosters a sense of ownership and community involvement, ensuring that preservation efforts are culturally relevant and sustainable. This model highlights the effectiveness of collaborative efforts that combine expertise from various fields, which can be applied to other contexts facing similar challenges in cultural preservation and education.
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