Abstract This study presents the findings of a field-based investigation on the preservation of historic Tibetan manuscripts in nine border monasteries within Shannan City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China. As repositories of sacred Tibetan manuscripts, these monasteries face increasing preservation challenges due to a harsh environment, the decline of traditional preservation models, a lack of special preservation funds, and insufficient collaborative efforts in the preservation of historic manuscripts. Through on-site visits and observations, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected to study and record the current status of the historic manuscripts in these monasteries. The problems of Tibetan manuscripts in border monasteries were identified, including the long-term marginalization of historic manuscript preservation efforts, the inaccessibility of historic manuscripts sealed away for preservation, the diminishing role of monks in manuscript preservation, and a breakdown in the transmission of traditional preservation knowledge. The paper proposes several practical suggestions to transform historic manuscript preservation in border monasteries from passive preservation to active use and cultural transmission. These strategies include strengthening legal protections, utilizing modern technology, encouraging the active participation of monks, and establishing specialized training systems. This study contributes to a broader discussion on the preservation of cultural heritage in marginal environments.
Wan et al. (2026) studied this question.