NLB Research Section

Activities

The Royal Government of Bhutan stresses the importance of research activities and the National Library of Bhutan is committed to carrying out research and translation on important topics of national relevance. Therefore, in keeping within the policy of the Royal Government, the Research & Documentation Section of the National Library conducts research and translation on a wide range of topics relating to the Bhutanese cultural & religious fields.

Some Past Activities

Khenpo Phuntsho Tashi, during his tenure as a research officer, carried out detailed research for e.g. gZungs 'bul lag len, a book dealing with the installation of sacred dharani and substances into religious objects, images and Stupas. Research was expanded when Dr. Karma Wangchuk and Dr. Yonten Dargye joined the section, a step intended to strengthen the reasearch profile in the Library.

Dr. Karma and Dr.Yonten translated the sNgon 'gro'i khrid yig a book dealing with the preliminary meditation practice of the Drukpa Kagyud; and Dharani, the Supreme Victory, a small booklet dealing with dispelling of misfortune. Together with Ugyen Tenzin, they also carried out research and bilingual translation of a book on Bhutanese Etiquette (sGrig lam rnam gzhag) into Dzongkha and English. This book deals with Bhutanese social norms.

An annoted translation of the Biography of Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo by Dr. Yonten Dargye and Prof. P.K. Sorensen was also published under the Danida project.

Current Work

National Literary Documentation Survey

In order to discover Bhutan's rich literary treasures and preserve important and rare documents for the nation, the Research & Documentation Section along with the IT Section is carrying out a survey of rare texts and documents throughout the country under a Danida-funded project. The survey includes the digitization and registration of rare texts and recording of their location and condition, the details of which are entered into a database for future reference. In particular, the Reasearch Section is responsible for identifying these rare texts. Where particularly rare or important manuscript or xylograph texts are discovered, their contents are catalogued and many are either digitised on location by members of our survey team, or they may be brought back to the National Library for microfilming.

More ...

Translation & Publications

As part of Phase III of the Danida project, Research co-operation is the main component of the twinning project. The researchers on both sides from the Royal Library of Copenhagen and from the National Library of Bhutan decided to carry out a full-fledged research and translation of 234 folio biography of Jamgon Ngawang Gyaltshen (1647-1732), written by the 9th Je Khenpo Shakya Rinchen. This biography of the Bhutanese saint constitutes a landmark of Bhutanese literature and is one of the most important historical sources describing events in Bhutan during 17th and early 18th century.

Gyonpo Tshering and Dr.Yonten Dargye have completed the draft translation, which has been reviewed by their research counterpart on the Danish side, Prof. P.K. Sorensen. It is expected that this book will be published by mid-2008.

Druk gyi Gyalrab (History of Bhutan) by Dasho Phuentsho Wangdue, Lamai Gonpa.

This is a manuscript written by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdue of Lamai Gonpa. It deals mainly with early history of Bhutan, particularly the proliferation of family lines of Choejes and Dungs and sheds a new light on many hitherto obscure historical facts. This formerly unpublished manuscript was edited by the NLB and published in December 2007.

 

Future Plans

Activity I: Revision of Driglam Namzhag Book

Preservation and promotion of Driglam Namzhag (Bhutanese etiquette & manners) is one of the key activities of the Culture Department. There are currently two Driglam Namzhag Books which have been published; one which was researched and published by the National Library, and another which was researched and written by Dasho Gyalpoi Zimpon and also published by the National Library. Readers have found that there are inconsistencies on many important points between these two books and so they find it difficult, and of course confusing, to determine which is the correct version to be followed. The Research & Documentation Division therefore has plans to revise these books thoroughly and bring out one standard book on Driglam Namzhag in Dzongkha.

Activity II: Editing and Translation of Rare Texts [from Choekey to Dzongkha]

The biography of the Sindhu Raja called “rGyal-po Sin-dhu Ra-za’i rnam-thar (The Clear Mirror of Mysticism)”

This is an ancient rare treasure book dealing with the story of the life of King Sindhu Raja authored by Denma Tsemang, one of the principal disciples of Guru Rinpoche. In particular this book sheds light on the early history [8th century] of Bumthang. Despite its historical importance, so far this book has never been published. This book will be translated into Dzongkha and published for the benefit of researchers and general readers.