English Translation of the Tibetan Text: ‘Red Annals: Historical
Background on the Spread of Buddhism in India and Central Asia’
The Namgyal Institue of Tibetology published the Tibetan text ‘Red Annals (Debthar Marpo):
Historical Background on the Spread of Buddhism in India and Central Asia’ in the 1960s.
The ‘Red Annals’ are among the oldest historical works in Tibetan written in 1346 by Tshalpa
Kunga Dorje. This text provides distinctive narratives about the formation of the world, the
genesis of mankind and the ascendancy of kings who patronized Buddhism all over
India. Considering that later historical or religious texts in Tibetan based themselves on the ‘Red
Annals’, their English translation and publication would greatly assist researchers focusing on this
period.
This translation project is being carried by Mr Thupten Tenzing, Research Officer, NIT.