Tibetan culture and art possess a history of more than 5,000 years, but the practice and depiction of Tibetan Buddhism has had by far the greatest influence on this culture. The development of Tibetan culture and art proceeded through four stages: prehistoric civilization before the 7th century; cultural stability during the Tubo Kingdom; high development during the Yuan Dynasty; and the height of cultural achievement attained during the Qing Dynasty.
The pre-historic stage includes all development from the ancient civilization that appeared during the New Stone Age some 5,000 years ago to the founding of the Tubo Kingdom in the 7th century. A salient feature of this civilization is the founding and development of the Bon, an animist religion. Findings from the ruins of the Karub New Stone Age Site in Qamdo and rock paintings found in Ngari, which have been dated from all periods from the late Old Stone Age to the Tubo Kingdom in the 7th century, all display a concentrated expression of the achievements of pre-historic civilization and reveal the budding of pre-historic art.
The Tubo Kingdom in the 7th century was an important period which witnessed the creation of Tibetan writing and the spread into Tibet of Buddhism from India and China's Tang Dynasty. Collusion and mutual assimilation of different cultures and arts constituted a major feature of this period. Cultural and artistic achievements made during this period of time include the Jokhang, Ramoche, Changzhug and Samye monasteries. These monasteries are a combination of architecture, paintings and sculptures, the styles of which were disseminated in accordance with the world model of Buddhism. The major architectural features of these monasteries were built using a style unique to Tibet, and also incorporating influences from India and the Central Plains of the Tang Dynasty. A unique culture was thus created and firmly planted in the soil of Tibet.
During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the culture and art of Tibetan Buddhism developed rapidly. Tibet's first encyclopedia-like catalogue on Gangyur and Dangyur of Tibetan Tripitaka was compiled; Buddhist masters who played key roles in the development of Tibetan culture and art, including Sagya Pandit Gonggar Gyaincain, Purdain Rinqenzhub and Zongkapa, emerged. Works of historical significance created during this period of time include the History on Buddhism by Purdain, the Green Annals, the Red Annals, the New Red Annals and the Records on Five Sutras in Tibet. There was an exuberance of literary works, including mottos, philosophic poems, fables and stories. Classics created during that period of time include Philosophic Poems of Milha Riba and Mottos of Sagya, which were very popular amongst the people of Tibet. Astronomy and calendar making experienced progress, with the Tibetan Epoch founded in 1027. Tibetan medicine branched out into the South and North schools. Architecture, painting and sculpture became increasingly perfected. Architectural works of importance created during this period of time include the Guge Kingdom city and the Sagye, Toding, Xalhu, Natang and Palkor monasteries. Major art schools include the Mentang and Garma Gagzhi Painting Schools, and the Mentang New Painting School. These painting schools, famous for their salient features and artistic style, exerted a deep influence on the creation of Buddhist art in the Central Plains. Beijing and Hangzhou emerged as the two Tibetan Buddhist art centers of China during the Yuan and Ming dynasties (1271-1644). Use of block making and printing technologies during the Yuan Dynasty injected fresh blood into the propagation of Tibetan Buddhist culture and art.
The relative stability of the socio-economic environment and Central Government support for Tibetan Buddhist cultural undertakings promoted the prosperity of Tibetan art during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Various scientific subjects were updated through the inheritance of traditional culture and the assimilation of the cream of other cultures. Lyrics and novels appeared for the first time, while the development of sculpture, painting and architecture continued. Palaces, castles and monasteries were blended organically through ingenious construction, much to the astonishment of the world. The Norbu Lingka, the summer residence for the Dalai Lamas of various generations, is a unique integration of Tibetan and Chinese architectural styles. It is hailed as a pioneering move in the creation Tibetan garden-like palace art.
Efforts are also being made to promote the development of Tibetan folk literature, operas, music, dance and ballads. Many talented Tibetan artists have emerged; and many outstanding literary works created. In the last 10 years, some 20 art troupes have been sent on performance tours of foreign countries. The same period also saw over 50 Tibetan studies organizations throughout China achieving great successes in research. This includes the China Tibetology Center, founded in Beijing in 1986, which has published many works and organized many international symposiums. There has also been progress in research into the development of Tibetan medicine. At present, Tibet boasts one Tibetan medical school, 10 Tibetan medicine hospitals and three Tibetan medicine factories. They employ close to 10,000 dedicated people. Tibetan literature and art shine move brightly.
