Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, and Identity / Edition 1

by Kate Crosby

Overview

Theravada Buddhism provides a comprehensive introductory overview of the history, teachings, and current practice of an often misunderstood form of one of the world’s oldest religious traditions.

• Explores Theravada Buddhism’s origins, evolution, teachings, and practices
• Considers the practice of Theravada beyond Sri Lanka and Thailand, by exploring a wealth of material from countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam
• Reveals its rich and varied traditions, and corrects common misunderstandings about links to other practices, such as early Buddhism or Hinayana Buddhism
• Incorporates student-friendly features including a glossary and other study aids

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405189064
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/04/2013
Series:	Wiley-Blackwell Guides to Buddhism
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Kate Crosby is a Seiyu Kiriyama Reader in Buddhist Studies in the Department of the Study of Religions at SOAS, University of London, and is also a member of the Centre of South East Asian Studies and the Centre of Buddhist Studies. She is the author or editor of a number of books, including Santideva’s Bodhicaryavatara: Buddhist Path To Awakening (with Andrew Skilton, 1998), and The Dead of Night & the Women (2009).

Read an Excerpt

Click to read or download

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Map xi

Introduction 1

Part One Buddha 13

1 The Buddha and Buddhahood 15

2 Buddha Worship 43

Part Two Dhamma 69

3 Literature, Languages, and Conveying the Dhamma 71

4 The Jâtaka 99

5 The Good Buddhist 112

6 Meditation 138

7 Abhidhamma 174

Part Three Sangha and Society 195

8 Monks, Monasteries, and their Position in Society 197

9 Women in Monasticism 218

10 Women in Theravada Literature and Society 238

11 Feminist Readings of Gender-Related Symbols 250

12 Nonharming, Politics, and Violence 262

Glossary 283

Index 290

Editorial Reviews

Each chapter ends with a wealth of reference and further suggestions for reading and watching.  Summing Up: Recommended.  Upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers/faculty.”  (Choice, 1 October 2014)

 

From the Publisher