Sacred Biography in the Buddhist Traditions of South and Southeast Asia

Sacred Biography in the Buddhist Traditions of South and Southeast Asia
Author: Juliane Schober
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
Total Pages: 396
Release: 2002
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9788120818125

This interdisciplinary collection of essays explores the biographical genre of the Buddhist traditions of South and Southeast Asia. Scholars in the history of religions, anthropology, literature and art history present a broad range of explorations into sacred biography as an interpretive genre. Easch essay makes unique contributions and the collection as a whole engages methodological and interpretive approaches that are central to scholars of Buddhism and those specializing in the study of south and Southeast Asia.

Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra

Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra
Author: Sree Padma Holt
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2008-08-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0791478149

Explores the importance of Buddhism as it developed in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra (modern-day Andhra Pradesh) and its influence.

Encyclopedia of Buddhism

Encyclopedia of Buddhism
Author: Damien Keown
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 1396
Release: 2013-12-16
Genre: Reference
ISBN: 1136985956

Reflects the current state of scholarship in Buddhist Studies, its entries being written by specialists in many areas, presenting an accurate overview of Buddhist history, thought and practices, most entries having cross-referencing to others and bibliographical references. Contain around 1000 pages and 500,000 words, totalling around 1200 entries.

Tibet and India

Tibet and India
Author: Kurt Behrendt
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2014-02-01
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1588395499

The Legend of King Aśoka

The Legend of King Aśoka
Author: John S. Strong
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
Total Pages: 362
Release: 1989
Genre: Aśoka, King of Magadha, active 259 B.C.
ISBN: 9788120806160

This first English translation of the Asokavadana text, the Sanskrit version of the legend of King Asoka, first written in the second century A.D. Emperor of India during the third century B.C. and one of the most important rulers in the history of Buddhism. Asoka has hitherto been studied in the West primarily from his edicts and rock inscriptions in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. Through an extensive critical essay and a fluid translation, John Strong examines the importance of the Asoka of the legends for our overall understanding of Buddhism. Professor Strong contrasts the text with the Pali traditions about Kind Asoka and discusses the Buddhist view of kingship, the relationship of the state and the Buddhist community, the king s role in relating his kingdom to the person of the Buddha, and the connection between merit making, cosmology, and Buddhist doctrine. An appendix provides summaries of other stories about Asoka.

The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk

The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk
Author: Justin McDaniel
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2011
Genre: History
ISBN: 0231153767

"Focusing on representations of the ghost and monk from the late eighteenth century to the present, Justin Thomas McDaniel builds a case for interpreting modern Thai Buddhist practice through the movements of these transformative figures ... Listening to popular Thai Buddhist ghost stories, visiting crowded shrines and temples, he finds concepts of attachment, love, wealth, beauty, entertainment, graciousness, security, and nationalism all spring from engagement with the ghost and the monk and are as vital to the making of Thai Buddhism as venerating the Buddha himself."--Jacket.

A Short History of South-East Asia

A Short History of South-East Asia
Author: Peter Church
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2017-03-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 1119062489

Explore the fascinating history of south-east Asia A Short History of South-East Asia, Sixth Edition is the latest in a series of updated texts spotlighting this fascinating region. With revised chapters for all of the countries in this geographic area, this interesting text paints a remarkable overview of the characters and events that have shaped this part of the world. Founded upon a deeply perceptive observation of the late founding Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, this book brings shape to the idea that 'to understand the present and to anticipate the future, one must know enough of the past, enough to have a sense of the history of a people.' With an approachable writing style and comprehensive content, this unique text was written for business readers interested in improving their understanding of this important region. With globalization continuing to gain momentum, south-east Asia is emerging as an important business sector for many industries. Not only does this open up professional opportunities, it exposes individuals in other parts of the world to the unique histories and cultures of the area. If you are interested in learning more about the region, this abbreviated text is a wonderful resource. Explore historic and political developments that have taken place throughout south-east Asia Quickly navigate text organized by country, allowing you to dive into the events that have shaped Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam Gain an important global perspective, which can prove valuable on personal and professional levels Leverage your new understanding of the region's past to better understand its present and anticipate its future A Short History of South-East Asia, Sixth Edition is an abbreviated history of south-east Asia written with business readers in mind.

Relics of the Buddha

Relics of the Buddha
Author: John S. Strong
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2018-06-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0691188114

Buddhism is popularly seen as a religion stressing the truth of impermanence. How, then, to account for the long-standing veneration, in Asian Buddhist communities, of bone fragments, hair, teeth, and other bodily bits said to come from the historic Buddha? Early European and American scholars of religion, influenced by a characteristic Protestant bias against relic worship, declared such practices to be superstitious and fraudulent, and far from the true essence of Buddhism. John Strong's book, by contrast, argues that relic veneration has played a serious and integral role in Buddhist traditions in South and Southeast Asia-and that it is in no way foreign to Buddhism. The book is structured around the life story of the Buddha, starting with traditions about relics of previous buddhas and relics from the past lives of the Buddha Sakyamuni. It then considers the death of the Buddha, the collection of his bodily relics after his cremation, and stories of their spread to different parts of Asia. The book ends with a consideration of the legend of the future parinirvana (extinction) of the relics prior to the advent of the next Buddha, Maitreya. Throughout, the author does not hesitate to explore the many versions of these legends and to relate them to their ritual, doctrinal, artistic, and social contexts.

The Indianized States of Southeast Asia

The Indianized States of Southeast Asia
Author: George Coedès
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Total Pages: 440
Release: 1975-06-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780824803681

Traces the story of India's expansion that is woven into the culture of Southeast Asia.

Walking meditation

Walking meditation
Author: Ajahn Ñāṇadhammo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007
Genre: Meditation
ISBN: 9789552403002

Walking meditation is an important but often neglected part of Buddhist meditation practice. Walking meditation can arouse energy, stabilize concentration, and encourage penetration of the Buddha's teachings by using wise reflection. Many meditators have become enlightened while doing walking meditation because of the mental alertness and sharpness it arouses. Besides the physical benefits of walking, it is beneficial for the mind -- improving memory skills, learning ability, concentration, and abstract reasoning, as well as reducing stress and uplifting one's spirits. The three essays cover all aspects of walking meditation and how it is used in the Theravada Buddhist meditation tradition.