The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia

by Donald K. Swearer

Overview

This is a synthesis and interpretation of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. No other book matches its depth and breadth or its balance of scholarly interpretation and readable personal portrayal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791424605
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	07/01/1995
Series:	Suny Series in Religion
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Donald K. Swearer is Professor of Religion at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction
The Study of Religion and the Visual
The Aim of the Monograph

One The Popular Tradition: Inclusive Syncretism
Ideal Action
Ritual Occasions, Merit, and the Appropriation of Power
Festivals
Rites of Passage

Two Buddhism as Civil Religion: Political Legitimation and National Integration
Asoka, the Exemplary Buddhist Ruler
Kings and Cosmology
The Buddha as Cosmocrator
Modern Nationalism and Buddhism
Three Modernization: The Dynamic of Tradition and Change
The Changing Role of the Monk
The Changing Role of the Laity
Buddhism and the West

Postscript
Appendix 1 Sigalaka Sutta: Code of Lay Ethics
Appendix 2 Audio Visual Bibliography
Appendix 3 Borobudur

Notes

Glossary

Bibliography

Index of Authors

Index of Subjects

Editorial Reviews

"This book surveys many themes. Although rooted in cultural and religious matters, it is also a good historical review of the Theravada tradition. Buddhism in Southeast Asia is spiritually and culturally very dynamic, but it also has a political importance that makes it a timely theme for those interested in this part of the world—those not necessarily informed about the history and power of religion in Southeast Asia.

"There are many books by notable authorities on the Buddhist world of Southeast Asia. However, these are almost always focused on just one country or culture, while the Swearer book embraces the whole region. I know of no other text in the English language that sets down such a good descriptive analysis of contemporary Theravada practices." — Bruce Matthews, Acadia University, Nova Scotia

From the Publisher