Papers by Rachael Griffiths
Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics, 2021
Autobiography was, and still is, a popular historical and literary genre in
Tibet, providing inv... more Autobiography was, and still is, a popular historical and literary genre in
Tibet, providing invaluable insights into the lives and times they describe. Although scholarship on Tibetan autobiographical writing has increased considerably over the last two decades, there remains a tension between historicity and narratological embellishment. As such, Tibetologists have generally approached autobiography as historiography or hagiography, overlooking the complex and sometimes conflicting elements at play within a text.
A recent collection of essays on Tibetan life writing titled The Selfless Ego: Configurations of Identity in Tibetan Life Writing acknowledges the heterogeneity of autobiography, proposing innovative approaches that move beyond the antinomy of fact and fiction, to open new avenues of multidisciplinary investigation and analysis. In this paper, I
will attempt to demonstrate the potential of such an approach through analysing the identification process of Sumpa Khenpo Yéshé Penjor (Sum pa mkhan po ye shes dpal 'byor, 1704–1788), as detailed in his autobiography. Through redirecting attention away from literary conventions typical of a Tibetan autobiography, such as auspicious
incidences and recollections of previous lives, and focusing instead on the individuals involved in the process, this paper explores the significance of this narrative in shining light on the social, institutional, and political networks of Amdo (northeastern Tibet) in the early eighteenth-century and, in turn, upholding the author’s self-expression in a cultural and religious context.
The Digital Orientalist, 2022
This paper documents ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR... more This paper documents ongoing efforts to enhance the accuracy of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) models using Transkribus, focusing on the transcription of Tibetan cursive (dbu med) manuscripts from the 11th to 13th centuries within the framework of the ERCfunded project, The Dawn of Tibetan Buddhist Scholasticism (11th-13th C.) (TibSchol). It presents the steps taken to improve the Character Error Rate (CER) of the HTR models, the results achieved so far, and considerations for those working on similar projects. Project: TibSchol-The Dawn of Tibetan Buddhist Scholasticism (11th-13th c.)
The Digital Orientalist, 2022
This paper discusses the practical considerations and strategies employed in dealing with abbrevi... more This paper discusses the practical considerations and strategies employed in dealing with abbreviations during the transcription of Tibetan cursive (dbu med) manuscripts. Addressing the challenge of varied and complex abbreviations, it explores options for transcription and presents our project’s approach to tagging and recording abbreviations, offering insights into handling these challenges within Transkribus.
Published on The Digital Orientalist: https://digitalorientalist.com/2022/11/01/transkribus-in-practice-abbreviations/
Buddhist Studies Review, 2021
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) project collects memories of individuals who have cont... more The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) project collects memories of individuals who have contributed to the formation of Tibetan Studies as an independent academic discipline in the second half of the twentieth century. Through interview recordings, it explores two aspects: the development of the discipline itself, and the distinctive life-stories of the individuals involved. The project includes scholars and academics, Tibetan teachers and traditional scholars, artists, photographers, book publishers, and sponsors. The oral testimonies also provide crucial information on related academic fields, such as Buddhist and Religious Studies, Anthropology, and Asian Studies more generally, and present a kaleidoscope of broader social, cultural, and educational developments. Of particular interest is the interconnection with Buddhist Studies, as exemplified in the UK and through links with the International Association of Buddhist Studies. This report aims to introduce the project, its open access online archive, and future plans. The Oral History of Tibetan Studies Project: Introduction Interviewer: What has your career in Indo-Tibetan Studies given to you? David Seyfort Ruegg: The answer is quite simple, my life. It's been a marvellous adventure; adventure in the best sense. The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) archives the memories and lives of esteemed teachers and scholars who were inspired by their imagination, travels
Buddhist Studies Review, 2021
The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) project collects memories of individuals who have cont... more The Oral History of Tibetan Studies (OHTS) project collects memories of individuals who have contributed to the formation of Tibetan Studies as an independent academic discipline in the second half of the twentieth century. Through interview recordings, it explores two aspects: the development of the discipline itself, and the distinctive life-stories of the individuals involved. The project includes scholars and academics, Tibetan teachers and traditional scholars, artists, photographers, book publishers, and sponsors. The oral testimonies also provide crucial information on related academic fields, such as Buddhist and Religious Studies, Anthropology, and Asian Studies more generally, and present a kaleidoscope of broader social, cultural, and educational developments. Of particular interest is the interconnection with Buddhist Studies, as exemplified in the UK and through links with the International Association of Buddhist Studies. This report aims to introduce the project, its open access online archive, and future plans.
Online resources (open access) by Rachael Griffiths
A summarized presentation of HTR tools in the framework of the ERC project TibSchol – “The Dawn o... more A summarized presentation of HTR tools in the framework of the ERC project TibSchol – “The Dawn of Tibetan Buddhist Scholasticism (11th-13th c.) (H2020-Cog-101001002).
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Papers by Rachael Griffiths
Tibet, providing invaluable insights into the lives and times they describe. Although scholarship on Tibetan autobiographical writing has increased considerably over the last two decades, there remains a tension between historicity and narratological embellishment. As such, Tibetologists have generally approached autobiography as historiography or hagiography, overlooking the complex and sometimes conflicting elements at play within a text.
A recent collection of essays on Tibetan life writing titled The Selfless Ego: Configurations of Identity in Tibetan Life Writing acknowledges the heterogeneity of autobiography, proposing innovative approaches that move beyond the antinomy of fact and fiction, to open new avenues of multidisciplinary investigation and analysis. In this paper, I
will attempt to demonstrate the potential of such an approach through analysing the identification process of Sumpa Khenpo Yéshé Penjor (Sum pa mkhan po ye shes dpal 'byor, 1704–1788), as detailed in his autobiography. Through redirecting attention away from literary conventions typical of a Tibetan autobiography, such as auspicious
incidences and recollections of previous lives, and focusing instead on the individuals involved in the process, this paper explores the significance of this narrative in shining light on the social, institutional, and political networks of Amdo (northeastern Tibet) in the early eighteenth-century and, in turn, upholding the author’s self-expression in a cultural and religious context.
Published on The Digital Orientalist: https://digitalorientalist.com/2022/11/01/transkribus-in-practice-abbreviations/
For those who have a Shibboleth/OpenAthens sign-in, please visit:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14484528.2019.1669426
Online resources (open access) by Rachael Griffiths
Tibet, providing invaluable insights into the lives and times they describe. Although scholarship on Tibetan autobiographical writing has increased considerably over the last two decades, there remains a tension between historicity and narratological embellishment. As such, Tibetologists have generally approached autobiography as historiography or hagiography, overlooking the complex and sometimes conflicting elements at play within a text.
A recent collection of essays on Tibetan life writing titled The Selfless Ego: Configurations of Identity in Tibetan Life Writing acknowledges the heterogeneity of autobiography, proposing innovative approaches that move beyond the antinomy of fact and fiction, to open new avenues of multidisciplinary investigation and analysis. In this paper, I
will attempt to demonstrate the potential of such an approach through analysing the identification process of Sumpa Khenpo Yéshé Penjor (Sum pa mkhan po ye shes dpal 'byor, 1704–1788), as detailed in his autobiography. Through redirecting attention away from literary conventions typical of a Tibetan autobiography, such as auspicious
incidences and recollections of previous lives, and focusing instead on the individuals involved in the process, this paper explores the significance of this narrative in shining light on the social, institutional, and political networks of Amdo (northeastern Tibet) in the early eighteenth-century and, in turn, upholding the author’s self-expression in a cultural and religious context.
Published on The Digital Orientalist: https://digitalorientalist.com/2022/11/01/transkribus-in-practice-abbreviations/
For those who have a Shibboleth/OpenAthens sign-in, please visit:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14484528.2019.1669426