Indigenous Narrative: The Dynamic Biographies of gShen-rab Mi-bo, Founder of the Tibetan Bon Religion

Co-sponsored with the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and the Committee on Inner Asian and Altaic Studies, Harvard University

This talk delves into the transformation of gShen-rab Mi-bo’s life stories within the Tibetan Bon religion, examining three significant texts: mDo ‘dus, mdo gzer mig, and mdo dri med gzi brjid. Each biography, emerging from distinct historical contexts, showcases the evolving nature of Bon religious thought and its interaction with cultural influences. The mDo ‘dus, a concise tenth-century work, is recognized as an early foundational narrative. mdo gzer mig, believed to originate in the eleventh century, is essential for understanding the integration of Buddhist elements within Bon literature. The expansive mdo dri med gzi brjid, from the fourteenth century, enriches the narrative tapestry with folkloric and cultural details, demonstrating how oral traditions have shaped its development. This exploration highlights the adaptive storytelling of the Bon tradition, reflecting shifts in historical and cultural landscapes.