Rock inscription of Tibetan Buddhist texts found in northwest China

Researchers in northwest China’s Qinghai Province have found a Tibetan Buddhist rock inscription considered to be the largest and most well-preserved in the province, a local museum said Wednesday.

Experts clean a newly-found Tibetan Buddhist rock inscription in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in Haibei Tibetan
 Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province [Credit: Xinhua/Dong Liansheng]

The rock, located in Menyuan Hui Autonomous County in Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is 2.5m long and 3m tall. It is inscribed with Buddhist tributes, mantras and prayers in Sanskrit and Tibetan languages, said Zhang Haiming, researcher with the museum.
The stone may have been carved around 200 to 300 years ago by monks in nearby temples and is of great historic, cultural and artistic value, according to the museum.

The newly-found Tibetan Buddhist rock inscription is considered to be the largest
and most well-preserved in the province [Credit: Xinhua/Dong Liansheng]

“A 10cm layer of moss and grass covered on the inscriptions helped preserve the stone so well,” Zhang said.

The provincial museum is conducting further research on the date, art form and content of the text. The findings are expected to be published next year.

Source: XinhuaNet [August 22, 2018]

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