guardian of the flame sri lanka manuscripts collection robert spindler university archivist archives...
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Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame Sri Lanka Manuscripts Sri Lanka Manuscripts
CollectionCollection
Robert SpindlerRobert SpindlerUniversity Archivist University Archivist
Archives and Archives and Special CollectionsSpecial Collections
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
ASU received 390 manuscripts 2004-2006ASU received 390 manuscripts 2004-2006
Largest collection of Sinhalese mss in Largest collection of Sinhalese mss in Western HemisphereWestern Hemisphere Harvard/Peabody Museum (14)Harvard/Peabody Museum (14) Smithsonian Institution (2)Smithsonian Institution (2) Field Museum (2)Field Museum (2)
British Library holds 4,000British Library holds 4,000
Some ASU texts not available in Sri LankaSome ASU texts not available in Sri Lanka
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Mostly Theravada Buddhist TextsMostly Theravada Buddhist Texts
Texts from as early as 3Texts from as early as 3rdrd century century These copies written 18These copies written 18thth-19-19thth centuries centuries Several Languages and Scripts:Several Languages and Scripts:
SinhaleseSinhalese SanskritSanskrit Pali – Traditional language and script of TheravadaPali – Traditional language and script of Theravada
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Progress to date:Progress to date:
Identification, Cataloging and RehousingIdentification, Cataloging and Rehousing November 2004-present (185 hours)November 2004-present (185 hours)
Wijitha Bandara, University of VirginiaWijitha Bandara, University of Virginia
Stephen Berkwitz, SW Missouri State UniversityStephen Berkwitz, SW Missouri State University
Translating and recording titles and descriptive Translating and recording titles and descriptive information in MS Access databaseinformation in MS Access database
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Progress to date:Progress to date:
Identification, Cataloging and RehousingIdentification, Cataloging and Rehousing 355 of 390 mss have some description355 of 390 mss have some description
191 mss have identifiable titles191 mss have identifiable titles
53 have identifiable authors of original texts53 have identifiable authors of original texts
116 custom-built pH-neutral boxes constructed116 custom-built pH-neutral boxes constructed
Preliminary catalog completedPreliminary catalog completed
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame Progress to Date - Progress to Date - EventsEvents
Lecture: ”Buddhist Histories and the Power of the Past in Lecture: ”Buddhist Histories and the Power of the Past in Sri Lanka” Prof. Stephen Berkwitz, Southwest Missouri Sri Lanka” Prof. Stephen Berkwitz, Southwest Missouri State University April 7, 2005State University April 7, 2005
Lecture: Lecture: “Problems of Heritage Management in South Asia”, “Problems of Heritage Management in South Asia”, Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratne, University of Peradeniya, Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratne, University of Peradeniya, April 24, 2006April 24, 2006
SScholarcholar’s Consultation ’s Consultation Buddhist Objects, Knowledge, Ritual Buddhist Objects, Knowledge, Ritual and Art, Arizona State University, October 6-7, 2006and Art, Arizona State University, October 6-7, 2006 http://http://
www.asu.edu/clas/religious_studies/lanka/collection.htmwww.asu.edu/clas/religious_studies/lanka/collection.htm
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Archival Issues:Archival Issues: Provenance undocumented:Provenance undocumented:
Appears to be “artificial” collectionAppears to be “artificial” collection Identity of transcribers and monasteries unknownIdentity of transcribers and monasteries unknown Dates of transcription mostly established through handwriting Dates of transcription mostly established through handwriting
Order of many manuscripts is disturbed:Order of many manuscripts is disturbed: Chunks of text out of order/placed at randomChunks of text out of order/placed at random Can or should we attempt to restore order?Can or should we attempt to restore order?
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the FlameArchival Issues:Archival Issues: PreservationPreservation
• CCovers overs and leaves require different conservatorsand leaves require different conservators
• Some covers degrading – object vs. contentSome covers degrading – object vs. content
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
LibraryLibrary Issues: Issues:
Relation to other ASU Libraries collectionsRelation to other ASU Libraries collections
Secondary sources of Sri Lanka, South AsiaSecondary sources of Sri Lanka, South Asia
Secondary and primary sources of SSecondary and primary sources of SEE Asia, e.g. Asia, e.g. LaosLaos
Collect oCollect other primary sources of South Asiather primary sources of South Asia??
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
University Issues:University Issues: Relation to ASU curriculum in several Relation to ASU curriculum in several
disciplinesdisciplines
Opportunity for collaboration with South Asian Opportunity for collaboration with South Asian universities and institutionsuniversities and institutions
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
Near Term Work PlanNear Term Work Plan (NEH Preservation and Access Proposal, July 200(NEH Preservation and Access Proposal, July 20088))
Enhance cataloging by visiting scholarsEnhance cataloging by visiting scholars
Conserve and rehouse original manuscriptsConserve and rehouse original manuscripts
Convert Access database descriptions to Convert Access database descriptions to EAD/XML finding aid for Web presentationEAD/XML finding aid for Web presentation
Return or exchange digital images w/ major Return or exchange digital images w/ major Sri Lankan institutionSri Lankan institution
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame
LongerLonger Term Work Plan Term Work Plan
Selectively digitize and translateSelectively digitize and translate
Link from EAD finding aid to digital surrogates Link from EAD finding aid to digital surrogates and translationsand translations
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame Thanks to our Partners:Thanks to our Partners:
Herberger College of Fine ArtsHerberger College of Fine Arts Claudia Brown, ProfessorClaudia Brown, Professor Sherry Montgomery, Academic AdvisorSherry Montgomery, Academic Advisor
Department of Religious StudiesDepartment of Religious Studies Joel Gereboff, ChairJoel Gereboff, Chair Juliane Schober, Associate ProfessorJuliane Schober, Associate Professor
University LibrariesUniversity Libraries David Moore and staffDavid Moore and staff, , PreservationPreservation
Guardian of the FlameGuardian of the Flame Sri Lanka Manuscripts Sri Lanka Manuscripts
CollectionCollection
Robert SpindlerRobert SpindlerUniversity Archivist University Archivist
Archives and Archives and Special CollectionsSpecial Collections