Uray Géza

Uray Géza (born January 12, 1921, Budapest – died October 23, 1991, Budapest) was a Hungarian linguist, Tibetologist, and orientalist. He is renowned for his significant contributions to the study of Tibetan language, history, and culture, particularly during the early imperial period.

Uray graduated from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, where he studied Hungarian, German, and classical philology. He became associated with the orientalist, Ligeti Lajos, who guided his early work.

His research focused primarily on deciphering and analyzing Old Tibetan texts from Dunhuang and other sources. He made important advances in understanding the structure and grammar of Old Tibetan and its evolution. His work shed light on the social, political, and religious history of Tibet during the Tibetan Empire (7th-9th centuries).

Uray was a dedicated teacher and mentor. He held positions at ELTE and contributed to the training of numerous Hungarian Tibetologists. He published extensively in Hungarian and international scholarly journals, making his research accessible to a wide audience.

His major publications include studies on Tibetan historical chronicles, the role of religion in Tibetan society, and the interactions between Tibet and neighboring cultures, particularly China. Uray's research continues to be highly influential in the field of Tibetology.