Potala Palace moving to preserve ancient texts

Since the launch of the national project for the protection and utilization of ancient texts such as the Potala Palace palm-leaf manuscripts in 2018, more than 68 million yuan ($9.6 million) has been invested to advance the project. 

The Ministry of Science and Technology has included key technologies for the protection and restoration of the manuscripts, as well as application demonstrations, in the national key research and development plan to provide technological support for their protection and restoration. 

According to the West Scripture Printing House of the Potala Palace, the palace established an experimental restoration group for the manuscripts in 2019, with the main goal of overcoming difficulties in restoration. 

The group has been conducting experiments for nearly three years, during which time it has accumulated a wealth of experience and achieved phased results.

Palm-leaf scriptures are sutras made in written or engraved form on pattra leaves. The content mainly consists of Buddhist scriptures. It is precious ancient literature and a first-class protected cultural relic in China, which currently has the largest existing collection of palm-leaf manuscripts in the world, the largest sample of which resides at the Potala Palace.

Pema Dekyi, an ancient manuscript restoration specialist at the palace, said the experimental restoration is preparation for later large-scale restorations. Currently, there is no mature experience or method at home or abroad for the process.

"Therefore, when carrying out the restoration work of precious cultural relics, especially a national first-class cultural relic, without prior experience or methods, the first step is to conduct a large amount of basic research and preliminary preparation," she said.