The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia (Suny Series in Religion)

Average Customer Rating: List Price: $30.95 Asia Trips Trips Price: $28.80 Your Savings: $ 2.15 ( 7% ) Subject To Change Without Notice Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: State University of New York Press
Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 294.3370959 EAN: 9780791424605 ISBN: 079142460X Label: State University of New York Press Manufacturer: State University of New York Press Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 258 Publication Date: 1995-07 Publisher: State University of New York Press Studio: State University of New York Press
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Editorial Reviews: This book is a remarkable synthesis and empathetic interpretation of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. No other single book matches its depth and breadth, or its balance between scholarly interpretation and sensitive first person portrayal. The author focuses his analysis on Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia as a dynamic, complex system of thought and practice imbedded in the respective cultures, societies, and histories of Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. The book discusses three distinct but interrelated aspects of this system: the popular tradition in terms of paradigms of ideal action, rituals, festivals, and rites of passage; Buddhism as civic religion in terms of King Asoka as the paradigmatic Buddhist monarch, cosmology and kingship, and Buddhism and the modern nation state; and modern transformations of the tradition in terms of the changing roles of the monk and the laity, modern reform movements, and Buddhism in the West.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: understand what you see Comment: I was confused by what I saw traveling in northern Thailand. It did not seem to make sense in what I had learned of buddhism in the US. It seemed more like people had made an icon of the buddha and were making personal offerings for their well being rather than seeking enlightenment. This book explains how the average person views and lives buddhism in southeast asia, while at the same time allowing for differences between different southeast asian countries. This is buddhism as a culture, not as a sort of "off the grid" personal endeavor as it seems to be here in the US. I wish I had read it while I was there. He discusses festivals, weddings, funerals and other social rites as well as political history. Swearer has a particular emphasis on the role of women in southeast asian buddhism. Customer Rating: Summary: Nice study Comment: I liked this study. It offers a dose of reality as to how Buddhist laypersons live their religion and how SE Asian politicians apply (and misuse) Buddhist ideals. The book is especially interesting with regard to the divide between monastic and lay/social Buddhism. Customer Rating: Summary: Only for scholars Comment: The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia is written for those people with an extensive background of knowledge in the Buddhist religion. Swearer uses complex language which is hard to follow and understand if you don't have a grasp on the Buddhist terminology. But, Swearer does give a descriptive view of the "typical" Buddhist monk and layman traditions, customs, and practices. He covers subjects ranging from festivals and cermonies to the kings and cosmology. I would only recommend this book to someone with a sincere interest in the details of life in Southeast Asia. More Reviews