西域丝路契约精神:武内绍人“中亚出土古藏文契约”的研究

The Spirit of Contract: The Study of Takeuchi's Old Tibetan Contracts from Central Asia

武内绍人(Tsuguhito Takeuchi)专著《中亚出土古藏文契约研究》出版发行以来,在国际敦煌西域学界引起广泛反响。这部著作对于中亚古藏文契约进行全面收集整理并进行研究释读,其中对于古藏文契约种类格式的研究成果突出。武内绍人还根据契约内容格式努力还原吐蕃统治敦煌西域时期当时的历史文化'语境'。这些对于敦煌西域研究的学术研究方法有着一定的启示作用。此外,西域丝路的'古代契约'精神对于现代中国诚信社会与法制人文建设也具有特别重要意义。

The publishing of Tsuguhito Takeuchi's book Old Tibetan Contracts from Central Asia greatly influenced the field of Dunhuang and Central Asian studies. The book collected most of the old Tibetan contracts,and provided an analysis. In addition,the author also put the Tibetan contracts within their traditional cultural- historical context. It inspired Dunhuang and Central Asian studies in China. Moreover,the spirit in the old Tibetan contracts in Central Asia also contributed to the creation of a system of credibility and harmonious relationships in modern China.In the 20 thcentury,Japanese scholars realized the importance of multi- linguistic study in the Central Asia and Dunhuang area. Some Japanese scholars went to study different Central Asian languages in Europe and the U. S. Tshuguhito Takeuchi went to Indiana University to study old Tibetan. Other Japanese scholars went to study Sogdian,Khotanese,Turkish and ancient Chinese. After these scholars returned to Japan,they developed Central Asian and Dunhuang studies in Japan. In Japan, among academics, they were called the Young- Ton group.While studying at Indiana University,Tsuguhito Takeuchi learned about Central Asia and the history of the Tubo empire under the guidance of Christopher Beckwith. He studied the old Tibetan contracts collected by the British and the French.In 1995,He finished his Ph. D. dissertation titled Old Tibetan Contracts from Central Asia. This work inspired great interest in the academic field of Dunhuang and Central Asia.I. Takeuchi and Old Tibetan Contracts In Takeuchi's various works,he collected about fifty- eight old Tibetan contracts,and two Chinese contracts. These contracts were written during the first half of the 9thcentury. In 1906,Stein and Pelliot organized a research trip to Central Asia and collected a large number of historical and cultural objects,and written documents. In their collections,the old Tibetan contracts come from Milan,Mazar'tagh,old Dama valley,Kadalik,Dunhuang and the Turfan basin. The historical sites relating to human activity along the Silk Road indicate that they have been a cultural crossroads for Islam,Greek traditions and Buddhism.Many trading routes belong to the meeting point between East and West,especially those located at the intersection between Khotan- Sabah and the Lhasa- Turfan route. All the Western trading groups had to prepare food and water before they entered the Taklamakan desert. Stein discovered many important historical objects and materials,such as the Tibetan documents written on the boughs of willows,and many small objects. With these objects,we can imagine the ordinary life of the Tubo border troops. Takeuchi classified the old Tibetan contracts into sales,loan and hiring contracts,and translated them.II. Takeuchi's Research Methods and Purpose Stein's material established the international study of Dunhuang and Central Asia. Many scholars have focused on these old Tibetan materials.And Takeuchi found out that the letters,legal documents and oracles were not yet studied. He car-ried out his unique way of studying about these old Tibetan contracts. He collected as many as of old Tibetan contracts as he could,classified them according to their idiomatic use,and made comparisons between single articles and the general document. He hoped that he would be able to study different materials,focusing on their structure and expression.III. The characteristics and social background of the old Tibetan contracts from Central Asia The methodology used to study the old Tibetan contracts was decided by their linguistic and cultural background,and the character of the contract structure. Unlike Tibetan Buddhist documents and chronicles, old Tibetan contracts also included some idioms and standard usage. The structure of the old Tibetan contracts might also have taken reference from Chinese contracts. However,while the Chinese contracts were based on the perspective of the sales person,the Tibetan contracts were written from the perspective of the third party. The Tibetan contracts,furthermore,had more official characteristics. Moreover,the use of seals in the contracts also indicated more of Tubo characteristics.These Tibetan contracts reflected that the Tibetan language and culture were wide spread during the time of rule of the Tubo Empire,from the year 781 to 848. Many local people used Tibetan contracts,and signed them in old Tibetans. OldTibetan contracts were developed together with interaction with Chinese contracts. In the 9thcentury,the Tibetan contracts were popular and widespread in Dunhuang and Central Asia. In sum,it was the product of the multi ethniccultural interaction along the Silk Road of the Dunhuang and Central Asian area.