Digital Library of Tibetan Language Recordings


 

 

Tibetan Storytime 

 

 

Tibetan Storytime is a tool for developing listen comprehension skills in the Tibetan language. It features audio files of a native Tibetan speaker, Lhoppon Rechung, reading passages from Tibetan texts and retelling them in colloquial Lhasa dialect.

 

There are twelve units, each centered around a passage from Tibetan literature, either prose or poetry. The selections span diverse topics including Tibetan customs, folk tales, ethics, architecture and landscape. The length and challenge of passages increases as one proceeds through the units.

 

Vocabulary sheets and supporting material are included with each unit.

 


 

Unit #1 - Proverb for the Wise
             Verse 25 from Sakya Paṇḍita's Eloquent Sayings or Sa skya'i legs bshad  

Unit #2 - Eight Auspicious Symbols

             Description of the Eight Auspicious Symbols from Bod kyi dmangs srol gces btus

Unit #3 - The Trickster

              Tale of the Tibetan folk hero and trickster, Aku Tonpa, from A khu ston pa

Unit #4 - An Affectionate Mongoose

              Classic Indian folk tale from the  Pañcatantra as recounted in a Tibetan schoolbook

Unit #5 - Jewel Pisser
              Tale of another Tibetan trickster, Nyicho Zangpo, from Nyi chos bzang po'i sgrung

Unit #6 - The Great Departure

              Narration of the Buddha's renunciation of princely luxury in a comic book rendition of his life story.

Unit #7 - Brief Guide to Samye

             An introduction to Samye, Tibet's first Buddhist temple, including its history and architecture.

Unit #8 - Losar - Tibetan New Year

             Description of how Tibetans celebrate the lunar new year, called "losar" (lo gsar) in Tibetan.

Unit #9 - Life of Jomo Menmo

             The brief hagiography of the female visionary, Jomo Menmo, from Jamgon Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge.

Unit #10 - Song of the Joyful Yogin

             A song of advice on how to pursue true happiness from the 19th century yogin Shabkar Tsokdrug Rangdrol.

Unit #11 - Advice to the People of Tingri

             The Indian master Padampa Sangye addresses the people of Tingri in southern Tibet along the border with Nepal.

Unit #12 - Guide to Amnye Machen

             A short guide to the sacred mountain, Amnye Machen, in the region of Golok in eastern Tibet.