Palm-leaf manuscripts Photo: Tamilheritage.org

Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has made great achievement in palm-leaf manuscripts protection through 6 years' endeavor, related authorities said at a press release on Monday.

The protection and research of palm-leaf manuscripts is the largest-scale and most significant project in Buddhism classics collection and protection in Tibet.

Since 2006, Tibet has conducted a comprehensive and careful survey by a newly established protection and research group under the concern and guidance from the central government, said Tsewang Jigme, director of the region's palm-leaf manuscripts protection office.

On basis of the survey, Tibet has organized experts and scholars to check, sort and photocopy large amount of Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts, according to historical documents in Tibetan, Mandarin and English as well as records of ancient translation activities.

So far, Tibet boasts nearly 60,000 pages of Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts in over 1,000 types, which marks a significant staged achievement and provides a solid foundation for cultivating more professional researchers in the future.

Tibet is now one of the regions in the world that have the most complete Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts found.

According to the contents and written style, most palm-leaf manuscripts preserved in Tibet are believed to be from the eighth to fourteenth century, Tsewang Jigme said.

The palm-leaf manuscripts, mostly Buddhism classics, are closely related to the Tibetan Buddhist classics Tengyur and Kangyur, and are of high value in Buddhism studies, Buddhism translation history and cultural exchanges between China and India.

Originated in India, palm-leaf manuscripts refer to the Sanskirt classics inscribed on the leaves of palm trees, including Buddhist scriptures, ancient Indian literature and codes.