Potala Palace digitizes nearly 1,000 precious thangkas

Nearly 1,000 thangka paintings have been cataloged, appraised, and scanned in high definition in the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region, since the palace began digitizing them in early March, said the Cultural Relics Research Office of the Potala Palace Management Office.

Thangka is a unique form of painting in Tibetan culture, typically a religious scroll painting mounted on colored silk and hung for worship. Thangkas cover many subjects, including Tibetan history, politics, culture and social life. Most of the thangkas that have been passed down are works related to Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion.

Palden Tsering, a culture and museum librarian at the palace's cultural relics research office, said the Potala Palace houses over 6,000 precious thangka paintings from different historical periods, such as the Central Chinese plain areas, South Asia and the Xizang autonomous region.

"These thangkas housed in the Potala Palace depict Buddhist stories, Tibetan history and culture, biographies of prominent figures, Tibetan medicine, and various artistic and craftsmanship techniques," said Palden Tsering, adding he has been responsible for the digitalization and re-cataloging of the precious thangkas collected in the Potala Palace.

Palden Tsering said at the same time, efforts have been made to organize and research the ancient texts and sculptures in the Potala Palace, and achievements have been made so far with publications such as "Catalog of Ancient Texts in the First Scripture Hall of the Potala Palace" and "Collected Research Papers on Ancient Texts in the Potala Palace".

Kunga Tashi, deputy director at the Potala Palace Management Office, said that King Songtsen Gampo of the Tubo Kingdom in the 7th century AD originally commissioned the Potala Palace.

"Over the course of 13 centuries, this architectural marvel has stood as a testament to the rich tapestry of interactions, exchanges, and cultural amalgamation among diverse ethnic groups across China," said Kunga Tashi.

It stands as Xizang's largest and most meticulously preserved palace-style architectural ensemble and serves as a veritable repository of national heritage, according to Kunga Tashi.

Designated as one of the inaugural national key cultural relics protection units in 1961, the Potala Palace has retained its significance through the ages.

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of its UNESCO World Heritage listing, reporters from China Daily embarked on a journey to uncover the grandeur and historical treasures housed within.

Their narrative delved into the architectural splendor and chronicled the Xizang cultural relics department's dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship and leveraging modern tools like the internet and big data for the palace's conservation.

Through this exploration, the profound cultural importance of the Potala Palace shines forth, underscoring its pivotal role in upholding and perpetuating the rich tapestry of Chinese heritage. Furthermore, it stands as a beacon of innovation, exemplifying how it has spearheaded the creative transformation and progressive evolution of traditional Chinese culture.

Contact the writer at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn