By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 22: The commemoration of the 20th death anniversary of late Tibetan scholar Dungkar Lobsang Trinley (also known as Dungkar Rinpoche) saw Tibetan scholars and historians engage in a panel discussion to honor his works at the College for Higher Tibetan Studies (CHTS) in Sarah on Saturday.
“It is imperative that we commemorate a great scholar who led the revival of Tibetan language and culture after devastating Cultural Revolution in Tibet. We have gathered here as his students to honor his contributions in reviving the damages done during the revolution,” said Tsangtuk Top, Senior History Professor at CHTS.
Organized by the Dungkar Commemoration Association and CHTS, Professor Tsantuk also said that the late writer’s works were mostly for educationists concerning dissemination of knowledge through educational means on subjects including Buddhist philosophy, logic, literature and grammar, astrology and poetics, which he had mastered.
“For a teacher, books of his collective works and Dungkar’s encyclopedia are the best reference for each and every subject. I feel there is no need for other reference book for teachers, if you have them,” he said.
With many books to his credit, Dungkar Rinpoche’s most recognized work is the Dungkar’s Encyclopedia or Dungkar Tibetological Great Dictionary (Tib: Dungkar Tshig zod Chenmo).
Jampa Samten, History Professor at Central University for Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, attending as chief guest, proposed an appropriate name to ‘Dungkar Tshig zod Chenmo’ according to its importance – ‘Biographical Dictionary of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism’.
“We must recognize his contribution as he has compiled this dictionary from his years of experience with his students and according to the needs of the students,” said Professor Jampa Samten, “With his dictionary, he had bestowed something which was not there earlier. He had spent 28 years collecting data and spent around 40 years compiling it. So, it is imperative that we acknowledge his dedication and hard work.”
Known as the most important Tibetan historian of the 20th century, Rinpoche (1927- July 1997) was born in Kongpo and the age of four was recognized as the 8th reincarnation of Dungkar Rinpoche, head of Dungkar Monastery. He later joined Sera monastery in Lhasa, where he studied under Trijiang Rinpoche, junior tutor to the Dalai Lama. By the age of 30 he had gained the Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest academic qualification in the Tibetan monastic system.
After renouncing monkhood, he married twice and settled in Beijing. Rinpoche was also forced to labor during the Cultural Revolution. His return to Lhasa in 1984 to teach History in Tibet University saw him take up an important role in advocating bilingual education in Tibet. He passed away in Los Angeles succumbing to his long battle with cancer on July 21, 1997.
