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Question
Dear Alex,
I am researching an article on tracing family history in Burma for a website called Empire's Children in the UK. You can view the site here: http://channel4.empireschildren.co.uk/
I'm trying to find out whether Buddhist temples keep records of births, marriages and deaths, and whether they may be available to a family historian.
I'd be very grateful for your advice.
Dear Rebekka,
Generally no, as this is not a particular requirement of the Buddhist religion.
However, these things depend very much on the culture within which Buddhism is operating, so for your particular interest I have to say that I just don't know. You will need to find someone with expertise in the Burmese field, and I can tell you that I am not one of those.
So good luck, keep looking, but be aware that you might draw a blank.
All the best
AW
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 8 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for a clear and straightforward response, and for suggesting next steps to find out the information you weren't able to provide on specific local customs. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Alex Wilding
Expertise
I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.
Experience
I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice.
I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.
Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.
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