Collation of the China Tripitaka: Dangyur

　　In seven years from 1987 to 1994, the collation of the Tripitaka was in the preparation stage, during which four things were done. Firstly, collecting needed editions of Tripitaka. The China National Center for Tibetan Studies borrowed the Beijing and Natang editions of Tripitaka from the Central Universities for Nationalities in Beijing and the Labrang Monastery in Gansu Province. Secondly, working out principles and style for the collation. Thirdly, creating a model copy. Opinions were solicited from related experts, scholars and eminent monks in Gansu, Tibet, Sichuan and Beijing for the perfection of the model copy. Fourthly, developing Tibetan fonts. Following the failure in the use of the letter board, the China National Center for Tibetan Studies jointed hands with the No.701 Institute under the Ministry of Astronautics Industry and the Huaguang Group in Shandong Province in developing the Tibetan language software for micro-computers, which was put into use in 1993 after six years of work.

　　The Huaguang V-type Tibetan language electronic publishing system was successfully developed on the basis of its Chinese language counterpart. The Tibetan language system boasts the Tibetan and Sanskrit processing functions. It is the most advanced, perfect and practical Tibetan language system in China. This achievement won a gold medal in China.

　　The initial Tibetan typeface, based on the script of calligrapher Zhi Hua from Qinghai Province, became the present standardized typeface after being improved.

　　Seven years of efforts and preparatory work resulted in the publication of the first Tibetan part of the China Tripitaka: Dangyur in early 1995 by the China Tibetology Publishing House. On March 9 of the same year, a ceremony was held to mark the event in the Tibet Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Li Ruihuan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), showed great concern on the publication of the collated China Tripitaka: Dangyur in Tibetan. Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the CPPCC and head of the United Front Work Department under the CPC Central Committee, offered congratulations and highly evaluated the edition. He pointed out that it is an important measure to systematically investigate, collect, compile, publish and study traditional Tibetan cultural heritage for the implementation of the Party's policy on religion and nationality, and the respect and protection of Tibetan cultural relics. It is not only of high academic value, but also of great significance for the protection of China's historical and cultural heritage and development of China's national culture. It is also conducive to promotion of cultural exchanges, mutual understanding and unity between nationalities. This fact strongly refuted the argument made by the anti-China forces in the West and a small handful of Tibetan separatists that China has destroyed Tibetan culture and religion.

　　On behalf of all walks of life in Tibet, 85-year-old Ngapoi Ngawang Jigmei, CPPCC vice-chairman, expressed his thanks to the Central Government for the special funds for this unprecedented great project, which he said helps inherit and develop excellent traditional Tibetan culture. He also expressed his appreciation to all the units and people who had painstakingly worked for the collation and publication of the Tibetan Tripitaka. He said emotionally: "I feel very happy when I see this new edition with beautiful typeface and exquisite printing.''

　　In his speech, Zhao Puchu, CPPCC vice-chairman and president of the Buddhists Association of China (BAC), recalled the spreading and development of Buddhism in China. He pointed out that the world's complete Tantrism and Buddhism are in China, which also possess the complete Buddhist classics. China has never stopped its scriptural translation and printing undertakings. However, the Southern Tripitaka has yet to be translated into Chinese and Tibetan languages. No effort has been made to work out a complete Tripitaka on the basis of the Tibetan Tripitaka and the Chinese Tripitaka. He noted that these constitute a huge systematic project which needs continuous work. The new edition of Tibetan Tripitaka is a component of the said huge project. This is a good beginning of Buddhist scripture translation and printing undertaking under the leadership and concern of the CPC Central Committee. It is also a signal of China's Buddhist classics to become complete and make a trans-century contribution.

　　To express his sincerity through charitable and pious deeds, Zhao, representing the BAC, donated 100,000 yuan for the future work on the collation and publication of the Tibetan Tripitaka.

　　The publication and distribution of the China Tripitaka: Dangyur received warm response in and outside China. In 1995, the collation bureau set up an office in Pixian County near Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and bought some computers and related facilities. In early 1996, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigmei and Zhao Puchu created a signboard reading "Tripitaka Collation Bureau of China National Center for Tibetan Studies'' (both in Tibetan and Chinese), which was formally hung at the new address. Thereafter, the collation work ended its seven years of preparation and began to move into the right orbit.

　　The collation of Dangyur was made with the Dege edition as a master copy and the Beijing, Natang and Zho'nyin editions as a reference copy. Different translations for the words, versions, sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters in the four editions have been collated, with collation notes for missing words and redundancies. Obvious printing mistakes and destroyed words in the master copy have been corrected according to other editions, but not listed in the collation notes. Explanatory notes were given for the missing words in the reference copies. The redundancies, in addition to the explanatory note, will be supplemented at the back of the master copy. In order to ensure the high quality of the collated Tripitaka, the collated manuscript will be examined and finalized by experts.

　　At present, the collation of the Tripitaka is being completed at the speed of 10 to 15 volumes annually. By the end of the century or in the early 21st century, a complete and collated China Tripitaka: Dangyur in Tibetan will have appeared in the world.