From explorers to codicologists: a note on past highlights and the state-of-the-art of Tibetological studies at Sapienza

This note intends to briefly trace the highlights of Tibetological Studies at “Sapienza” University of Rome in what is presently named the Department Institute of Oriental Studies through their salient protagonists as well as relevant emic and ethic reverberations. As an inspira tional token, two short and unedited Bon prophetical texts contained in the IsMEO Giuseppe Tucci Fund preserved at the Central National Library of Rome will be introduced. Lastly, by presenting the state-of-the-art and what could be defined as current strengths and weaknesses of the discipline, challenges for its future prospects will be assessed.