Academic Database Planning
I. Planning Ideas
(1) Resource Integration and Digitalization
Extensively collect Buddhist canonical literature, historical archives, and academic research outcomes, including the digital scanning of paper documents, and the organization of audio and video materials, to build a comprehensive and systematic digital repository of Buddhist resources for easy retrieval and use by users.
(2) Multilingual Support and Internationalization
Given the center’s international positioning, the database will offer multiple language versions, including common Buddhist research languages such as English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, and German. This helps break down language barriers, promotes communication and cooperation among global Buddhist scholars, and enhances the center’s influence in the international Buddhist academic community.
(3) Functional Diversity and User Experience Optimization
In addition to basic document retrieval functions, a variety of search methods will be provided, such as advanced search, full-text search, and categorized browsing. Meanwhile, a user personal space will be set up to facilitate users in saving and managing their research materials and collected documents, thereby improving user experience and stickiness to the database.
(4) Data Security and Sustainable Development
A comprehensive data backup and recovery mechanism will be established to ensure the security and stability of data. Moreover, the database will be regularly updated and maintained, with continuous addition of new resources and functions, to meet the evolving demands of Buddhist research and user requirements, thus achieving sustainable development of the database.
II. Database Introduction
(1) Database Name
Lumbini International Center for Buddhist Studies Academic Database (LICBS Academic Database)
(2) Content Structure
a. Buddhist Canonical Literature Library
It will include canonical works of various Buddhist schools in multiple languages such as Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese. It will offer the original texts, translations, annotations, and comparative analyses of different versions to facilitate in-depth research into the evolution and development of Buddhist doctrines and thoughts. Users can search and browse by various criteria such as the name of the canon, its number, the school it belongs to, and the language.
For example, for the Diamond Sutra, the database will not only have multiple Chinese translations, such as those by Kumarajiva and Bodhiruci, but also the corresponding Sanskrit original text and related commentaries. Users can compare the differences between different translations to understand their dissemination and interpretation in different cultural contexts.
b. Buddhist Studies Research Achievements Library
It will integrate academic papers, monographs, research reports, and other outcomes from Buddhist research institutions and scholars worldwide. The materials will be categorized by research fields (e.g., Buddhist philosophy, history, art, sociology), regions (e.g., South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian Buddhism), and research methods (e.g., textual research, field investigation, empirical research). This will help users find cutting-edge research achievements and classic academic works in specific fields. Additionally, it will provide abstracts, keywords, and citation information of papers to help users quickly grasp the core content and value of the papers.
For instance, in the field of Buddhist philosophy, users can find in-depth research papers on the theory of “dependent origination and emptiness,” as well as different scholars’ interpretations and explanations of this theory. Through citation information, users can further trace the academic lineage of related research.
c. Buddhist History and Culture Materials Library
It will collect materials on the origin, dissemination process, important historical events, biographies of eminent monks, and the history of temples and monasteries of Buddhism, as well as cultural phenomena related to Buddhism (such as Buddhist art, music, and rituals) in the form of text, images, and audio-visual materials. It will display the cultural appearance and developmental trajectory of Buddhism in different historical periods and regions through timelines, maps, and thematic classifications, providing rich materials and intuitive research tools for the study of Buddhist history and culture.
For example, users can view on the map the routes of Buddhism’s spread from ancient India to neighboring countries, understand the formation and characteristics of Buddhist culture in different regions; they can also browse Buddhist art works through thematic browsing, such as the murals of Dunhuang and the statues of Longmen Grottoes, to appreciate the charm of Buddhist art and study its cultural connotations and historical background.
d. Buddhist Education and Practice Resources Library
It will encompass educational resources such as Buddhist education course materials, teaching videos, and lecture materials, as well as practical guidance materials on Buddhist practice methods, meditation instructions, and ritual ceremonies. It will provide corresponding resources for learners and practitioners at different levels to promote the popularization of Buddhist knowledge and the standardized conduct of Buddhist practices.
For example, for beginners, it will offer basic Buddhist introductory courses and simple meditation practice guidance; for professional researchers and practitioners, it will provide in-depth Buddhist theoretical courses and advanced practice guidance.
e. Interdisciplinary Research Materials Library
It will gather literature and research outcomes from interdisciplinary studies of Buddhism with other disciplines (such as philosophy, sociology, psychology, medicine, environmental science). It will showcase the application value and enlightenments of Buddhism in various fields of modern society, promote the development of interdisciplinary research, and expand the vision and boundaries of Buddhist studies.
For example, it will collect research materials on the application of Buddhist mindfulness meditation in psychological therapy and health promotion, as well as the implications of Buddhist ecological thought for environmental protection.
(3) Functional Features
a. Multilingual Search and Comparison
Users can choose different language interfaces for search and browsing. It also supports multilingual keyword search to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of searches. Moreover, for important Buddhist classics and documents, a comparison function of different language versions will be provided to facilitate comparative research and learning.
For example, users can search for Chinese Buddhist literature in the English interface and view the Chinese-English parallel sutra content, which helps non-native Chinese speakers better understand and study Chinese Buddhist culture.
b. Advanced Search and Filtering
A wide range of advanced search options will be provided. Users can combine multiple conditions such as author, title, keywords, publication time, document type, and research field to quickly locate the required literature. At the same time, on the search results page, various filtering conditions will be available, such as sorting by relevance, time, citation frequency, etc., to help users further refine the search results and improve the efficiency of obtaining useful information.
For example, users can search for papers on “Buddhist philosophy” published in the last five years by a specific author, and then sort the search results by citation frequency to quickly find the most influential papers in this field.
c. Document Collection and Management
Users can register a personal account to create their own document collection folder in the database, where they can collect and categorize documents of interest. It supports operations such as annotating, marking, and adding notes to collected documents, which is convenient for users to record their thoughts and insights during research. In addition, users can generate a personalized document list from their collected documents and export it in various formats (such as PDF, Word, Excel), facilitating the citation and use of these documents in their own academic research and writing.
For example, users can collect multiple papers on the same research topic, add their own annotations and notes to each paper, and then export the collected papers as a PDF document for easy reference and use in their research papers.
d. Academic Communication and Discussion
An academic communication section will be set up where users can post their research findings, viewpoints, research questions, etc., and communicate and discuss with other users. It will also support document commenting functions, allowing users to comment on and rate the documents in the database, sharing their opinions and evaluations of the documents. This will promote the collision and exchange of academic ideas. Meanwhile, database administrators and professional scholars can reply to and guide users’ questions and discussions, creating a good academic interactive atmosphere.
For example, users can post their research ideas on a specific Buddhist topic in the communication section, and other users can comment on and discuss these ideas. Through such interactions, users can gain new insights and inspiration for their research.
e. Data Visualization and Analysis
For some Buddhist historical data, statistical information (such as the distribution of Buddhists, the number of temples), and citation analysis of academic research achievements, data visualization functions will be provided. Charts, graphs, and other means will be used to intuitively display data and information, helping users better understand and analyze the trends and patterns of Buddhist development, as well as the hot and frontier issues in academic research.
For example, bar charts can be used to show the changing trends of the number of Buddhists in different countries, or network diagrams can be used to display the cooperative relationships among scholars and the knowledge dissemination paths in the field of Buddhist academic research.
(4) Target User Groups
a. Buddhist Scholars
It will provide comprehensive, systematic, and authoritative Buddhist research materials and academic achievements for Buddhist scholars and researchers worldwide, assisting them in conducting in-depth academic research and promoting the development and innovation of Buddhist theories. It will help them keep abreast of the latest trends and frontier issues in Buddhist research, and promote international cooperation and exchange in Buddhist studies.
For example, a Buddhist philosophy scholar can use the database to quickly find the latest research papers on a specific Buddhist philosophical concept, compare different scholars’ viewpoints, and integrate these insights into their own research to advance the study of Buddhist philosophy.
b. Buddhist Educators
It will offer a wealth of Buddhist educational resources, including textbooks, lesson plans, and teaching videos, for teachers and educators in Buddhist educational institutions. This will facilitate their lesson preparation and teaching, and improve the quality and level of Buddhist education. It will also provide references for Buddhist educational institutions in terms of curriculum settings and teaching methods, promoting the standardization and professionalization of Buddhist education.
For example, a teacher at a Buddhist academy can use the database to find suitable textbooks and teaching materials for a particular Buddhist course, and refer to other educators’ lesson plans and teaching videos to improve their own teaching methods and content.
c. Buddhist Practitioners
It will meet the practical guidance needs of monks, practitioners, and other Buddhist practitioners in terms of Buddhist practice methods, ritual ceremonies, and religious philosophy. It will provide accurate and authoritative practical materials and guidance suggestions to help them better understand and practice Buddhist doctrines and improve their own practice level and religious literacy.
For example, a Buddhist practitioner who wants to learn a specific meditation technique can find detailed practice instructions and guidance videos in the database, and follow these materials to practice correctly and effectively.
d. Cultural Enthusiasts
It will provide a convenient platform for learning and communication of Buddhist culture for the vast number of cultural enthusiasts who are interested in Buddhist culture. They can easily access Buddhist cultural knowledge, appreciate Buddhist art works, and understand Buddhist history and traditions through the database, thereby enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Buddhist culture and promoting the inheritance and popularization of Buddhist culture.
For example, a cultural enthusiast who is interested in Buddhist art can browse a large number of Buddhist art works in the database, learn about the background and meaning of these works, and gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist culture through appreciation.
(5) Expected Benefits
a. Academic Value
It will become an important digital resource platform in the field of global Buddhist studies, gathering a vast amount of Buddhist literature and academic research achievements to provide strong data support and research tools for Buddhist studies. It will help promote in-depth development of Buddhist research, facilitate the inheritance and innovation of Buddhist culture, and improve the academic level and international influence of Buddhist studies.
For example, through the database, researchers can conduct large-scale comparative studies of Buddhist doctrines in different regions and periods, discover new research problems and directions, and thus promote the development of Buddhist studies to a higher level.
b. Educational Value
It will provide rich educational resources and teaching support for Buddhist education, enrich the content and forms of Buddhist education, and improve the quality and effectiveness of Buddhist education. It will help cultivate more outstanding Buddhist talents, inherit and promote Buddhist culture, and promote the prosperity and development of Buddhist education.
For example, with the help of the database, Buddhist educational institutions can offer more diverse and high-quality courses, attract more students to learn Buddhist culture and knowledge, and thus cultivate more professional Buddhist talents.
c. Cultural Value
It will promote the dissemination and exchange of Buddhist culture, enabling more people to understand the profoundness and unique charm of Buddhist culture. It will enhance people’s sense of identity and belonging to Buddhist culture, and promote the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture, making a contribution to the diversity of world cultures.
For example, through the database, Buddhist cultural knowledge can be spread to different countries and regions, allowing more people to understand the values and concepts of Buddhist culture, and thus promote the exchange and integration of different cultures.
d. Social Value
By disseminating the wisdom and concepts of Buddhism, such as compassion, equality, peace, and inclusiveness, it will provide beneficial insights and references for solving contemporary social problems. It will promote social harmony and stability, enhance mutual understanding and respect among different cultures and beliefs, and contribute to the peace and development of human society.
For example, the concepts of peace and non-violence in Buddhism can inspire people to resolve social conflicts and disputes in a more peaceful and harmonious way, and thus promote social stability and development.
(6) Technical Architecture
a. Front-end Display Layer
Responsive web design technology will be adopted to ensure that the database can adaptively display on different terminal devices such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones, providing a good user experience. Front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript will be used, combined with front-end UI frameworks like Bootstrap, to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, simple, and user-friendly interface. Meanwhile, AJAX technology will be employed to realize partial page refresh and dynamic interaction, improving the system’s response speed and performance.
b. Application Logic Layer
The application logic layer will be built based on Python’s Django or Flask and other Web development frameworks, handling user requests and business logic. It will develop and integrate functional modules such as user authentication and authorization, document retrieval and management, data visualization and analysis, and academic communication and discussion. It will adopt the RESTful API design principle to realize data interaction and communication between the front and back ends, improving the system’s scalability and maintainability.
c. Data Storage Layer
Relational databases (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL) will be used to store structured data such as user information, document metadata, and academic achievement data. Non-relational databases (such as MongoDB, Redis) will be used to store unstructured data such as the full text of Buddhist canonical literature, audio and video data, and user collection data. A data warehouse will be built to integrate the vast amount of Buddhist data for data integration and analysis, providing data support for data visualization and academic research. Meanwhile, a data backup and recovery mechanism will be established to ensure the security and reliability of data.