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China to Protect Cultural Heritage on Palm Leaves
A research center on palm leaves culture was recently set up in Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna, southwest China's Yunnan Province. This is the first of its kind in the country in terms of heritage protection.
Qin Jiahua, a member of the research center, said research fellows are now translating over 3,000 volumes of the Palm Leaves Buddhism Sutra, preparing for the future serial publication.
There are as many as 84,000 volumes of Buddhism Sutra on palm leaves, some Dai legends say, but most of them are still privately kept by local people.
Palm Leaves Buddhism Sutra, engraved on the specially processed palm leaves, is considered the root of Dai ethnic culture, which has had a history of more than 2,700 years. Detailed records on Dai ethnic culture, philosophy, law, religion, and science and technology can all be found in the palm leaves Buddhism Sutra. Palm leaves are mainly found in tropical and subtropical areas, which are featured by damp-proof and long-lasting of the characters in comparison with those written on bamboo pieces or paper.
Xishuangbanna prefecture is the home to nearly 300,000 Dai ethnic people for centuries.
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